Health News in English
Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Fecal bacteria in Amsterdam drinking water: boil water advisory for 81 households
Waternet has issued a boil water advisory for 81 households in Amsterdam-West after enterococci bacteria were detected in the drinking water during construction work. A similar advisory for E. coli in...
Zuckerberg gives rare testimony in social media addiction case
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in court on Wednesday for the first time regarding Instagram’s impact on the mental health of young users. During the testimony, he was questioned about how age li...
Advisory body SER calls for eight weeks of paid leave for informal caregivers
The Dutch advisory body SER is calling for the government to provide eight weeks of paid leave to help informal caregivers balance their jobs with their caregiving responsibilities. This recommendatio...
Actor Tommy Lee Jones' daughter died of drug overdose
Victoria Jones, the 34-year-old daughter of actor Tommy Lee Jones, died from a cocaine overdose on New Year’s Day. According to court documents, she was found lifeless in a San Francisco hotel room ...
Few people ill in January for the time of year
Employee absenteeism in January was lower than in previous years, but rates are now rising due to the start of a flu epidemic. The celebration of Carnival is expected to further contribute to this inc...
New cabinet cuts benefits: how the plans hit the long-term sick
The new Dutch cabinet’s proposed budget cuts will reduce benefits for fully incapacitated employees by up to 270 euros per month. Additional austerity measures could potentially increase these losse...
The older, the stiffer: Expert explains how stretching keeps you flexible and prevents pain
Movement scientist Jo de Ruiter explains how regular stretching can help older adults maintain flexibility and prevent pain as the body naturally stiffens with age. The expert provides guidance on pro...
After Henny’s (58) unexpected death, Willem opens her dream shop: ‘In that world she felt safe’
Following the unexpected death of 58-year-old Henny Christophersen, her husband Willem is opening a dollhouse shop in Lochem to honor her memory. Henny, who owned 40 dollhouses, found solace in the mi...
Even tot hier presenter Jeroen Woe cancels theater shows due to inflammation
Dutch comedian and "Even tot hier" presenter Jeroen Woe has canceled all upcoming theater performances with partner Niels van der Laan through the end of March. The cancellations are due to an abdomin...
Children on their mother (90) with dementia: ‘She smelled of urine, but forcing help was not allowed’
Brothers Vincent and Frank Volmer are expressing powerlessness regarding their 90-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia and incontinence but refuses professional help. Despite her deteriorating h...
Sophia (4) has Rett syndrome and talks with her eyes: ‘She is trapped in her own body’
Four-year-old Sophia Verwijs from Tholen, Netherlands, lives with Rett syndrome, a condition that requires her to communicate using her eyes and leaves her physically dependent on others. Her parents,...
The yo-yo effect is real: doctors explain what can happen when losing a lot of weight
Internist-endocrinologist Liesbeth van Rossum and obesity doctor Mariëtte Boon are highlighting the biological challenges of permanent weight loss and the reality of the "yo-yo effect." Their insight...
More Amsterdam children vaccinated in 2025
The number of children and young people aged 4 to 18 in Amsterdam who received vaccinations following an invitation from the GGD increased in 2025. This development marks a continued rise in the vacci...
Sharper thinking, better blood values: how fasting can be healthy according to a doctor
As the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan begins tonight, medical experts are highlighting the potential health benefits of abstaining from food and drink between sunrise and sunset, such as improved blo...
Information sessions on living with brain injury in Haarlem, Amsterdam, Krommenie and Obdam
The organization Hersenz is hosting a series of information sessions focused on coping with brain injuries and their long-term consequences. These meetings are scheduled to take place in several Dutch...
Elite athlete and pregnant: how does that work? ‘View childbirth as an injury’
Gynecologist Floor Sijbrandij explains that pregnant women are now encouraged to stay active rather than resting, as was previously advised. She provides guidance on how to safely maintain a fitness r...
Far fewer babies in ICU with RSV thanks to vaccination
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reported on Monday that far fewer babies were admitted to intensive care with the RS virus this autumn and winter. This signif...
Sick again? This works best for coughs and sniffles
An official flu epidemic has been declared, leading to widespread symptoms such as persistent coughing, nasal congestion, and fatigue. General practitioner and professor Dirk Devroey provides guidance...
Mr. Naafs visited the pond liner party and now fears an STI: Doctor Rutger is baffled
Mr. Naafs sought medical advice from Doctor Rutger after attending a "pond liner party," fearing he had contracted a sexually transmitted infection. However, the doctor found that the patient's primar...
Unpredictable disease that mainly affects women: what you need to know about MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease that primarily affects young people and women, presenting symptoms such as sudden fatigue, vision issues, and mobility problems. Neuroimmunologist I...
Falling for the wrong person isn't bad luck but often reflects a pattern from your childhood
Love coach Joey Steur explains that repeatedly falling for the "wrong" partner is often a result of behavioral patterns established during childhood rather than simple bad luck. These cycles are frequ...
Men develop heart problems faster than women: ‘Get checked by your GP in your 30s’
Men develop heart problems an average of seven years earlier than women, with the gap extending to ten years specifically for heart attacks. To mitigate these risks, cardiologists recommend that men b...
Zandvoort once again the setting for Ticking Clock challenge: registration opens today
Circuit Zandvoort will host the "Tikkende Klok-challenge" on September 6, a fundraising event where participants run or walk laps to support research into the hereditary heart muscle disease PLN. Regi...
Macarons from these two shops are equally delicious: ‘Nice and chewy and the flavor matches the colors’
In a blind taste test of eight supermarket brands, three pastry chefs identified two retailers that offer high-quality macarons with a desirable chewy texture and accurate flavors. The review, conduct...
Actor Bas Hoeflaak: ‘I suffer from restless legs’
Dutch actor Bas Hoeflaak discussed his personal life and health in a recent interview with Mezza magazine, revealing that he suffers from restless legs. He shared his routines for relaxation and maint...
After 30 years of marriage, Cor (77) dove into dating 15 years ago: ‘A revelation’
After a thirty-year marriage, 77-year-old Cor turned to online dating fifteen years ago to find a new partner. He has since become a frequent user and a pioneer for his generation, as research shows m...
Toxicologist on alcohol and hangovers: 'Fatty food, like fries, slows down alcohol absorption'
Toxicologist Jan Tytgat explains the science behind hangovers and offers advice on how to mitigate their effects during festivities like Carnival. He notes that consuming fatty foods, such as fries, c...
Is AI making our children dumber? ‘The flood of stimuli from our screens is dulling our brains’
The increasing integration of AI and screens into daily life has sparked concerns that children and youth are becoming less capable of independent thinking and traditional literacy. With one-third of ...
Dream trip to Cape Verde turns into medical hell: ‘I was in a ward where everyone was vomiting’
Henk de Regt’s ten-day all-inclusive vacation on the Cape Verdean island of Boa Vista turned into a medical ordeal when he fell severely ill. He described a traumatic experience on a hospital ward f...
Big five of virus infections sweeping through the Netherlands: ‘Without caution, it's a recipe for trouble’
The Netherlands is facing a significant surge in viral infections, including a major flu wave that is currently straining hospital resources. Virologists warn that a decline in public vigilance is exa...