Health News in English
Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Cabinet wants to scrap tax deduction for uninsured medical expenses, Parliament impatient for alternative
The Dutch government intends to abolish tax deductions for non-insured medical expenses by 2028, a move that currently impacts 900,000 households. The House of Representatives has expressed significan...
James McAvoy had near-death experience after failed medical procedure
Actor James McAvoy narrowly escaped death in 2017 after a lung biopsy led to a collapsed lung and a severe infection. Following weeks of hospitalization and a final invasive surgery, he successfully c...
Concerns over ending emergency care in Hoofddorp? Information evening draws few visitors
The Spaarne Gasthuis hospital plans to centralize 24-hour emergency care in Haarlem-Zuid by 2033, effectively closing the emergency department in Hoofddorp. Despite significant public and political ba...
Chatterbox Roderik connects people with each other
Roderik Schaepman has launched the Week of the Conversation, an initiative aimed at encouraging social interaction to combat loneliness and declining communication skills. By setting up designated spa...
Osteoarthritis is more bearable than ever, partly thanks to medication: 'They work like a lubricant'
Osteoarthritis affects over 1.7 million people in the Netherlands, impacting individuals of all ages rather than just the elderly. Orthopedic surgeon Maarten de Boer emphasizes the importance of prope...
Major traffic jam on A4 near Hoofddorp-Zuid towards Amsterdam due to accident
A car accident on the A4 near Rijsenhout caused significant traffic delays and required two people to be hospitalized on Tuesday morning. Although the road was reopened shortly before 9:00 a.m., conge...
Dutch people ate over half a kilo less meat in 2025 than a year earlier
Meat consumption in the Netherlands dropped by 2 percent in 2025, continuing a ten-year downward trend in the intake of beef and pork. While poultry consumption saw a slight increase, total edible mea...
5 meeting places for neurodivergent Amsterdammers
Amsterdam now offers several dedicated meeting spaces and community events designed specifically for neurodivergent individuals to connect in low-stimulus environments. These initiatives, ranging from...
Veilig Thuis Amsterdam sounds the alarm: 'We sometimes cannot investigate neglect or structural violence in time'
Veilig Thuis Amsterdam has issued an urgent warning that severe staffing shortages and a rise in abuse reports are hindering its ability to investigate cases of neglect and violence promptly. The orga...
Anti-smoking foundation loses final ruling on 'cheating cigarettes'
The Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal has ruled against the anti-smoking organization Rookpreventie Jeugd regarding their request to change cigarette testing methods. The court determined that...
Yvon Jaspers 'temporarily out of action' due to hearing and balance issues
Presenter Yvon Jaspers has announced a temporary hiatus from her work due to persistent hearing and balance issues that require surgery. She was forced to cancel a television appearance meant to promo...
Does not washing your hair make it thicker? Hair expert debunks hair myths
Dermatologist and hair specialist Petra Dikrama examines common myths about hair care. This segment is the second part of a series intended to clarify facts and misconceptions regarding daily hair rou...
Veilig Thuis overwhelmed by reports of domestic violence and child abuse
The Dutch reporting center Veilig Thuis is overwhelmed by a significant surge in cases of domestic violence and child abuse, leading to dangerous delays in providing assistance. Experts are calling fo...
No new snack bars near schools? Amsterdam looks for legal ways to limit unhealthy food options
Amsterdam is attempting to legally restrict new unhealthy food outlets, especially near schools, by testing the boundaries of current environmental laws in court. The city hopes this pilot case will e...
Municipality to open its own healthy restaurant to combat excess of fast food outlets
The Amsterdam municipal government plans to open and then deny a permit for its own unhealthy restaurant to test legal limits regarding health-based zoning. By taking the matter to court, officials ai...
Museum of the Mind in Haarlem raises 11,500 euros for mental health
The Museum van de Geest in Haarlem raised 11,500 euros during its Walk & Talk charity event to support youth mental health awareness. The proceeds will fund educational projects aimed at helping young...
Car veers off road and flips over in Bos en Lommer
A driver sustained injuries after their vehicle veered off the road and overturned on the Admiraal de Ruijterweg in Amsterdam's Bos en Lommer neighborhood. Authorities suspect a medical emergency may ...
Because Jelte would not grow old, his parents sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him every month
Jelte de Haan, a young boy who became the face of the Serious Request fundraiser, died in June 2024 from a terminal metabolic disease. His family's emotional journey and dedication to medical research...
Domestic violence hotline seeks 70 million euros in extra annual funding to tackle waiting lists and staff shortages
Veilig Thuis, an organization for domestic violence reporting, is calling for an extra 70 million euros annually to manage severe staffing shortages and mounting waiting lists. The additional funding ...
Flu shot can reduce hospital admissions by 40 percent, but nearly half skip it now
Flu vaccination rates in the Netherlands have reached a record low of 54 percent, failing to reach the 75 percent coverage target needed for effective public health protection. Experts attribute this ...
Scientists warn: air pollution and heat increase risk of depression and anxiety
A new international scientific report indicates that exposure to environmental stressors such as air pollution, extreme heat, traffic noise, and a lack of green space is linked to an increased risk of...
Rail sector aims to reduce track suicides: 'Look out for each other'
The rail industry in the Netherlands is launching new awareness campaigns to reduce suicides on train tracks by encouraging passengers and staff to look out for one another. Through improved communica...
Mrs. Karels (92) is dead and Dr. Rutger must officially confirm it: that will be a peculiar task
General practitioner Dr. Rutger discusses the difficult but necessary task of officially confirming a patient's death. He recounts his experience attending to 92-year-old Mrs. Karels, whose strong pre...
Ruben runs half marathon for long COVID research: "I see for myself how devastating it is"
Ruben Treurniet is running the Amsterdam half marathon this Sunday to raise funds for long COVID research, inspired by his brother Lex's struggle with the debilitating condition. The campaign has alre...
Is running a (half) marathon really a good idea? 'Proper preparation takes months'
Thousands of runners are preparing for the 51st annual Amsterdam Marathon, an event that spans over 42 kilometers. While the training process takes months of dedication, experts and participants conti...
Now I dare to dream again about having a dog or maybe even children
A Brazilian immigrant describes overcoming a lifetime of childhood trauma, abuse, and subsequent mental health struggles after moving to the Netherlands. Following an intensive trauma treatment and th...
Reversing type 2 diabetes? It is possible: diabetologist explains why you must take the disease seriously immediately
Entertainer Gordon has achieved remission from type 2 diabetes through significant weight loss and increased physical activity. Experts emphasize the importance of taking the condition seriously immed...
Céline Dion physically tested ahead of concert series
Céline Dion is preparing for her return to the stage with a dedicated training program to help manage her stiff-person syndrome. The singer, who has faced significant physical struggles due to the ne...
AI revolutionizes the operating room: The computer must learn to think like a surgeon
Artificial intelligence and robotics are increasingly being integrated into operating rooms to assist with surgical procedures. Experts predict that common surgeries, such as gallbladder removal, will...
Judge rejects request for investigation into Philips in sleep apnea affair
The Dutch Enterprise Chamber has dismissed a request for an inquiry into Philips concerning the company's communication about a major sleep apnea device recall in 2021. The court ruled that there were...