International collaboration is vital for RIVM. It enables us to keep abreast of the latest global research and innovative developments. It enhances and strengthens our knowledge base and, as a result, improves the quality of our research and policy advice. RIVM shares knowledge and expertise abroad. We participate in a wide range of international research and innovation projects to help solve some of the biggest societal challenges, for instance, climate change.
For more than 100 years, RIVM has been promoting public health and safeguarding a healthy and safe environment. We have a central role in infectious disease control, national prevention and population screening programmes and monitoring our population’s health and the state of our environment. We support citizens, professionals and national and local authorities in the challenge of keeping ourselves and our environment healthy, safe and sustainable. Our ambition is to be a trusted advisor using independent research as the basis for our advisory work. Below we present some of the global challenges we work on and elaborate on our tasks and international activities.
What we do
Highlighted themes
Information for refugees from Ukraine
RIVM has developed a dedicated website for Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands. This portal serves as a first point of access to our information about population screening programmes for cancer, immunisation programme, pregnancy screening and more. The information is available in English, Ukrainian and Russian.
RIVM International Newsletter
Would you like to be kept informed of our international work and related activities? Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter. Read our international newsletter issue 1, 2025.
News
Improved method can provide greater insight into the environmental impact of the Dutch healthcare system

Radar TV programme broadcast prompts 88 new reports to MEBI for health complaints relating to copper intra-uterine devices (IUDs)

Significant majority chooses to use contraception after conversation in abortion clinic

Support for working informal caregivers begins with a conversation with their supervisor

Young adults speak up about their mental health, stress and substance use

Two in five reduced the use of e-cigarettes after the introduction of the flavour ban
