Health News in English

Health Minister Hermans defends one hamburger a week: ‘People can choose for themselves whether to buy an apple or a banana’

Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans defended the updated 'Schijf van Vijf' nutritional guidelines against criticism from right-wing political parties who argue the advice prioritizes climate goals ov...

IJmond youth feud: First convict released with ankle monitor

An 18-year-old man has been sentenced to ten months in prison, with six months suspended, for the attempted manslaughter and public assault of a teenager from Haarlem during a violent youth feud. Havi...

Iran war leads to even more expensive condoms in China, residents want to hoard

The conflict in Iran has caused condom prices to rise in China due to raw material shortages, according to manufacturer Karex. This price hike follows previous increases aimed at boosting population g...

Single pill significantly reduces risk of new stroke after brain hemorrhage, study shows

A major international study involving Radboudumc in Nijmegen has found that a specific pill can significantly reduce the risk of a subsequent stroke following a brain hemorrhage. This discovery provid...

In the hospital, Will and Hugo decided to change course: from the office to music studios

After experiencing life-threatening health scares, friends Hugo and Will quit their office jobs to build fifteen affordable music studios in Amsterdam's Amstelkwartier. The project aims to address the...

Strait of Hormuz closure hits consumers in the bedroom: condom prices to rise sharply

The CEO of Karex, the world's largest condom manufacturer, has warned that prices could rise by up to 30 percent due to conflict in the Middle East and potential shipping disruptions. This increase is...

Suspect arrested in sexual offense case at Loenen care facility

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a sexual offense that occurred at a care facility in Loenen. The arrest, which took place in early March, was confirmed by the Public Prosecution Serv...

Fewer drug labs for first time in 5 years, waste dumpings halved

For the first time in five years, the number of discovered drug laboratories in the Netherlands decreased, with 142 sites identified in 2024 compared to 167 the previous year. Additionally, incidents ...

Employees on sick leave need more time to recover

Sickness absence in the Netherlands decreased to 5 percent in March, down from 5.4 percent in February. However, the overall quarterly absence rate remains steady because employees who fall ill are ta...

Domestic violence reports to Veilig Thuis rise again

Veilig Thuis and the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) reported a rise in domestic violence and child abuse cases in the Netherlands, with 136,000 reports filed last year. This marks an increase fro...

Singing together helps people forget dementia for a moment, says opera singer Maartje

Opera singer Maartje de Lint organizes monthly singing circles at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam for individuals with brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The initiative aims to st...

Haroon Ali sees ‘looksmaxxers’ crying out for help: ‘They inflict great harm on their bodies to numb inner pain’

Columnist Haroon Ali discusses the "looksmaxxing" trend, where young men use extreme and often harmful methods to achieve physical perfection. He highlights that while these individuals are often mock...

Unfortunate goalkeeper Nick Olij from Haarlem finally set to make Eredivisie debut for PSV

Nick Olij is set to make his debut for PSV in the Eredivisie after a season of setbacks, including injuries and losing the starting spot to Matej Kovar. The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who is originally f...

Future of drug user bus near Oosterpark uncertain as permit expires in two months

Pedestrian injured in collision with bus on Marnixstraat; intersection was already a designated ‘blackspot’

Inspectorate imposes penalty on Tata Steel over hazardous steel slag

The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has imposed a penalty on Tata Steel for failing to classify a specific type of steel slag as hazardous waste. The steel manufacturer must now upd...

Inspections: mental health care for asylum seekers inadequate

The Dutch Justice and Security and Healthcare and Youth inspectorates have concluded that organizations providing mental health care and safety to asylum seekers are failing to cooperate effectively. ...

Tata Steel tests plant after excessive chromium-6 emissions

Tata Steel is conducting trial runs at its Direct Sheet Plant in IJmuiden this week to measure emissions following an earlier shutdown. The facility was closed after internal tests revealed that chrom...

Margriet and Marian love exercising in the forest: ‘Balancing on one leg is getting easier for me’

Margriet and Marian participate in weekly outdoor exercise sessions with the "GO" (Gezond Oud) group to promote healthy aging. The activities take place every Tuesday at the Beeckestijn estate in Vels...

World's largest condom producer Karex raises prices due to war

Karex, the world's largest condom manufacturer, is planning to increase its prices by 20 to 30 percent. The company cited the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as the reason for the pr...

GPs sound alarm over vaping: Politicians must help protect the youth

Amsterdam general practitioners and healthcare providers have urged the city council to implement stricter measures to protect young people from vaping addiction. The groups are calling for expanded s...

Smokers no longer welcome on parts of Zandvoort beach, but no official ban in place

The municipality of Zandvoort has established three voluntary smoke-free zones on its beaches for the current season. While signs have been installed to mark these areas, the initiative is a pilot pro...

British Parliament backs lifetime smoking ban for generations

The British parliament has approved a lifelong smoking ban for anyone born after 2008, effectively making it illegal for younger generations to ever purchase tobacco products. This measure aims to cre...

HBB faction leader Jan Verhagen steps back: 'Health comes first'

Jan Verhagen is stepping down as the group leader of Heemsteeds Burger Belang (HBB) due to health reasons following medical advice. While the Haarlem politician will remain active as a council member,...

How to prevent hearing damage: ‘Take a 15-minute break after 60 minutes of noise’

ENT specialist Maarten Vijverberg shares expert advice on how to protect hearing and prevent permanent damage from noise exposure. He recommends taking a 15-minute break for every hour spent in a loud...

'Living without answers is a struggle'. Families of missing persons live in a nightmare

In the Netherlands, approximately 1,500 people remain missing after more than a year, causing their families to live in constant uncertainty. These loved ones are often unable to start the grieving pr...

Outdoor swimming resumes April 28: get one free ticket!

Outdoor swimming pools are scheduled to reopen on April 28. Through May 10, visitors can receive one free ticket with their online orders for outdoor pool access.

European Court allows ‘cheat cigarettes’ to stay, ‘bizarre reasoning’

The European Court of Justice has ruled that current cigarette emission measurement methods can remain in place, effectively allowing so-called "cheat cigarettes" to stay on the market. This decision ...

Aisha Dutrieux listens with growing astonishment to two teenagers discussing calories: 'We’re like freaks'

Aisha Dutrieux observes two fourteen-year-old girls in a library as they engage in a detailed conversation about calorie counting. The author expresses surprise at the teenagers' intense focus on diet...

Poultry housing order lifted, except in Gelderse Vallei

State Secretary Silvio Erkens has lifted the poultry confinement obligation for hobbyists and commercial farms across most of the Netherlands. The mandate remains in effect only for the Gelderse Valle...