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

Two injured in collision at Hoofddorp intersection
Two people were injured following a collision between two cars at an intersection in Hoofddorp on Thursday morning. The accident occurred at the junction of Skagerrak and Van Heuven Goedhartlaan.
What you didn't know about autism: 'It is not visible in someone's appearance'
On World Autism Day, experts address common misconceptions and stereotypes regarding autism, such as the idea that it is visible in a person's appearance or that autistic individuals lack empathy. The...

Patients receive hardly any information about quality of care
A joint study by Zorginstituut Nederland and the Patients Federation Netherlands reveals that patients struggle to access information regarding the quality of healthcare treatments. Despite national o...

Neighborhood not surprised by rats in restaurant: "Gross, but very Amsterdam"
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) closed a restaurant in Amsterdam-Oost after social media footage revealed a rat infestation in the kitchen. While local residents expr...

One-third of bus stops in North Holland are not accessible for people with disabilities; stops at train stations in Velsen and Haarlem are poorly accessible
A study reveals that over one-third of the 3,012 bus stops in the province of North Holland are not accessible for people with physical or visual disabilities. Bus stops in Haarlem and Velsen are spec...

At least fifteen homes in Velsen contain carcinogenic UF foam; 'used sparingly' says housing association spokesperson
A survey revealed that at least fifteen homes managed by Brederode Wonen in Velsen contain carcinogenic urea-formaldehyde (UF) foam. While Woningbedrijf Velsen reports no instances of the material in ...
Priority mail price hike: funeral card doubles in price
Starting in July, PostNL will significantly increase rates for 24-hour delivery services, including bereavement cards and medical mail. These items will cost several euros per piece as the postal serv...

IJmond municipalities to engage with chronically ill residents: 'We want to see what we can learn from each other'
The municipalities of Beverwijk, Heemskerk, and Velsen are launching a pilot program from April 1 to July 1 offering health conversations for residents with chronic illnesses. Participants have the op...
Amsterdam restaurant closure due to rats is no exception: 'Owners let the infestation get out of hand'
How (un)healthy is chocolate really? ‘This variety is sometimes low in sugar’
As Easter approaches, dietician Sanne Mouha explores the health implications of various types of chocolate, noting that the average Dutch person consumes about five kilograms per year. She provides gu...

Record number of hospitality businesses forced to close immediately due to pests
A record number of catering establishments in the Netherlands were forced to close due to pest infestations during the first quarter of 2026. Inspectors expressed concern after a video of rats in an A...

One victim of Castricum fatbike accident back home, other in intensive care
One of the two boys injured in a fatbike accident in Castricum last Friday has returned home, while the other remains in the hospital receiving intensive care. Both victims are students at the Vonk Ca...

Attention to Ali B case triggers trauma for other sexual assault victims
The high-profile legal appeal of Dutch celebrity Ali B is causing significant emotional distress for victims of other sexual offenses. Media coverage of the case is reportedly triggering past traumas ...

MPs Zalinyan and Kostić clash with ministry over steel slag: 'Who protects the children along polluted ditches?'
Dutch MPs Ani Zalinyan and Ines Kostić have challenged the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management regarding the safety of children near areas polluted by steel slag. State Secretary Bertram ...

Psychiatric treatment demanded for man who stabbed 85-year-old with screwdriver
Prosecutors have demanded mandatory psychiatric treatment for a man who stabbed an 85-year-old victim multiple times with a screwdriver in Amsterdam. The attack occurred last July on Riekerweg, where ...

TommyTomato declared bankrupt after failed investment: 'We made a lot of profit, just not in our bank account'
TommyTomato, a Haarlem-based delivery service providing healthy school lunches, has been declared bankrupt after a multi-million euro investment deal fell through in mid-March. Director Bas Turk attri...

Mandatory psychiatric treatment recommended for Rotterdam murders suspect
Behavioral experts from the Pieter Baan Centrum have recommended mandatory psychiatric treatment (TBS) for 25-year-old Sendric S., a suspect in multiple murders in Rotterdam. The experts diagnosed S. ...

Students experience what it’s like to have a malfunctioning brain: ‘You really feel your brain isn't working anymore’
Eighth-grade students at the Cruquiusschool in Haarlem used virtual reality goggles to experience the daily challenges of living with dementia. The initiative by Zorgbalans aims to help children bette...

'Ministry was wrong, banning steel slag is allowed.' Health at 1 and Urgenda offer municipalities a helping hand
Environmental and health organizations Gezondheid op 1 and Urgenda have issued a guide to Dutch municipalities challenging the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management's stance on steel slag. T...

Rotterdam murder suspect: I shot on orders from voices
Sendric S., a 25-year-old suspect in three murders in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, testified in court that he heard voices commanding him to kill. The suspect claimed the shootings on December 21, 2024, wer...
Check not only yourself but also your pet for ticks: ‘They like to hide between the toes’
During 'Week van de Teek,' pet owners are advised to check their dogs and cats for ticks after being outdoors to prevent potential diseases. Experts note that ticks often hide in hard-to-find spots li...

Person injured in Haarlem house fire, victim taken to hospital
A person was injured and transported to the hospital following a house fire in an apartment building on Prins Bernhardlaan in Haarlem on Monday morning. Emergency services arrived at the scene around ...
Dangerous consumer products cause 80 deaths a day in Europe
Dangerous consumer products, including exploding appliances and defective items, cause approximately 80 deaths daily across Europe. Research highlights that these hazards also pose significant risks t...

Hairdressers given tools to recognize domestic violence
The Dutch government is providing hairdressers with tools to help them identify signs of domestic violence and unsafe relationships among their clients. Mariëtte Hamer, the government commissioner fo...

150,000 euros raised for Adamas Center with fundraiser in Nieuw-Vennep
Nine entrepreneurs raised 150,000 euros for the Adamas Centrum in Nieuw-Vennep by locking themselves inside the facility for a week. The funds and donated goods will be used to support the center's mi...
A bit deaf but don't want a hearing aid? ‘You’re shortchanging yourself’
ENT specialist Maarten Vijverberg highlights the importance of addressing hearing loss early, explaining that good hearing is crucial for daily life. This first part of a series focuses on recognizing...
Gianni D. made violent threats and committed arson against family and a friend; prosecutors seek 3 years and mandatory psychiatric treatment

Recognize the signs of elder abuse
The city of Haarlem has launched the 'Verborgen Leed' campaign to raise awareness about elder abuse and encourage residents to recognize warning signs like financial exploitation or withdrawal. This r...

Suspect arrested for laundering 1.5 million euros in healthcare funds
A suspect from The Hague was arrested last Tuesday on suspicion of defrauding healthcare funds of approximately 1.5 million euros. The individual is accused of unlawfully receiving the money and subse...

Food authority closes restaurant on Javastraat due to rat infestation
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has closed a restaurant on Javastraat in Amsterdam after social media footage showed rats in food containers and kitchen equipment. In...