Health News in English
Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

High number of sick leave reports in healthcare sector costs at least 5.8 billion euros annually
The healthcare sector in the Netherlands faces annual costs of at least 5.8 billion euros due to high employee absenteeism. With an average absence rate of 7.5 percent, healthcare workers have the hig...
Rinsing your bum crack after a haircut? This surgeon says it's not a bad idea
Surgeons Robert Smeenk and Boudewijn Toorenvliet have developed a less invasive treatment for a recurring and often embarrassing inflammatory condition caused by stray hairs. Their research offers a n...

'Medical miracle' Julian (22) passes away: 'Money for the oncologist rather than flowers'
Julian de Kievit, a 22-year-old from Hoofddorp, has passed away after battling brainstem cancer for twelve years, far exceeding his initial two-year prognosis. Known for his fundraising efforts for ch...
How to cope with the loss of an unborn child: What experts suggest helps
Experts explain that the grief associated with the loss of an unborn child is significant regardless of whether it is classified as a miscarriage or a premature birth. They recommend methods such as c...
Suffering from motion sickness? This hidden setting on your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook can help
Apple has introduced a hidden feature on iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks designed to help users mitigate motion sickness while reading or scrolling during travel. This setting aims to reduce sensory conf...

Pressure on maternity care even greater during summer months: 'Quality care no longer possible'
Maternity care in the Netherlands is facing increased pressure during the summer months due to long-standing staffing shortages. This issue is being felt nationwide, with some healthcare providers in ...
Why going on vacation together is good for your relationship: Eight hours in the car leads to conversation
Going on vacation can serve as a form of relationship therapy by allowing couples to disconnect from daily routines and engage in meaningful conversations. Expert Moji Shahvali suggests that shared tr...

Gordon reaches goal for Men's Health: Not an Arnold Schwarzenegger body
The 58-year-old singer and presenter Gordon posed for the cover of Men's Health this Wednesday. He achieved his fitness goals through a strict diet and intense workout routine, though he noted he did ...
Man in wheelchair set on fire in Utrecht recovers from severe injuries: 'You feel those 24 hours a day'

J&J settles for 5.5 billion dollars over claims baby powder causes cancer
Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson has reached a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve numerous lawsuits alleging that its baby powder and other products cause ovarian cancer. This agreement aims t...
Radio 538 presenter Hannelore Zwitserlood underwent gastric bypass surgery: I am now Miss Piggy light
Radio 538 presenter Hannelore Zwitserlood has opened up about her weight loss journey after undergoing gastric bypass surgery three years ago. Following a 55-kilogram weight loss, she has released a b...
Gastric bypass surgery can be lifesaving but is no quick fix: the impact is enormous
Every year, between 10,000 and 12,000 gastric bypass surgeries are performed in the Netherlands. While weight-loss medication has stabilized these numbers, the procedure remains a life-saving interven...
From air conditioning to 40 degrees outdoors is a shock to the body: Rome's heat plan looks beyond air conditioning

Singer Carly Simon has Parkinson's disease: 'I have learned to live with it'
American singer Carly Simon has announced that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The 83-year-old artist shared in a letter to her fans that she has learned to live with the condition.

German anatomist and Body Worlds founder Gunther von Hagens (81) has died
German anatomist and inventor of the plastination technique, Gunther von Hagens, has passed away at the age of 81 due to a brain hemorrhage. He was widely known for creating the Body Worlds anatomical...
How to keep your teeth as healthy as possible: How diet can help
As the Netherlands faces a looming shortage of dentists, experts are highlighting the importance of maintaining dental health through proper oral care and diet. Dietitian Sanne Mouha and dentist Vince...
Mrs. Derksen enlists Dr. Rutger for her own marital problems: ‘You know what you have to do’
During a medical consultation for a mole, a patient named Mrs. Derksen attempts to pressure Dr. Rutger into intervening in her husband's snoring issues. She insists that the doctor follow her specific...
Addiction help via your employer: ‘That 5,000 euros is nothing compared to the costs of long-term absenteeism’
Large organizations in the Netherlands are increasingly helping employees with addictions by connecting them to specialized mental healthcare services. This initiative aims to reduce long-term absente...
Dentists sound alarm: We are heading for a dental care crisis
Dentists in the Netherlands are warning of an impending crisis in dental care due to an aging population and a decrease in the number of elderly patients with dentures. The professional association st...
Not happy when the sun shines: how to recognize a summer slump or summer depression
While many enjoy the summer season, some individuals experience a summer dip or summer depression due to the long, warm days. Psychologist Leslie Hodge provides insight into the causes of these mental...

Fire department works to stay ahead of blazes in parched Veluwe region
Due to persistent drought conditions, the fire department is taking proactive measures to prevent wildfires in the Veluwe region of the Netherlands. Although the country has avoided major fires seen i...

Caregivers face increased workload as healthcare staff go on vacation
Caregivers in the Netherlands are facing an increased workload during the summer holiday period. As professional care staff take leave, family members must take over additional responsibilities to ens...
No sex? ‘Just as normal as having sex three times a week’
Sexologists report that many women struggle with pain, insecurity, and a lack of pleasure, despite the frequent portrayal of effortless intimacy in media. Experts emphasize that having no sex can be j...
Adelheid Roosen: ‘As a tomboy, I’ve fallen out of many a tree’
In an interview with Mezza magazine, Dutch performer Adelheid Roosen reflects on her physical characteristics and personal quirks. She discusses her health sensitivities and her acceptance of her own ...
After the birth of her daughter, Evelien (34) sometimes feels utterly alone
After the birth of her daughter, 34-year-old Evelien Reijnoudt reflects on the unexpected challenges and feelings of isolation associated with motherhood. She expresses that caring for her baby has ma...
Do expensive sunglasses protect your eyes better than cheap ones? Ophthalmologist explains
Ophthalmologist Willem Birkhoff explains that the price of sunglasses does not necessarily reflect their ability to protect the eyes. He provides guidance on what features consumers should look for wh...
Guacamole dip from this popular supermarket wins our taste test: 'Like it's homemade'
A panel of three taste experts recently conducted a blind taste test to determine the best store-bought guacamole for barbecue gatherings. The winning dip was highly praised for its quality, with expe...
22 hours of flying is fun, but can lead to thrombosis: Noa (25) knows it’s not just for the elderly
Qantas will launch a direct 22-hour flight between London and Melbourne, raising concerns about the increased risk of blood clots due to cabin pressure. Medical experts warn that deep vein thrombosis ...

Carla drops out just before the start of the Four Days Marches but receives her gladioli anyway
After a leg injury prevented Carla van Bochoven from participating in the Nijmegen Vierdaagse, she successfully completed an equivalent distance by cycling around her hometown of Haarlem to raise mone...

At least eight attacks by Asian hornets: "It is worrying"
At least eight attacks by Asian hornets have been reported in the area around Bloemendaal and Overveen within the last week. Experts warn residents to be vigilant, as these invasive insects can attack...