News | RIVM

RIVM identifies three major challenges for public health and healthcare in period to 2050

The Dutch public health and healthcare will face three crucial challenges in the period to 2050. This is according to RIVM’s preview of the Dutch Public Health Foresight Study 2024.

Doctoral research: Pure fruit juice is less bad for your health than soft drinks

Pure fruit juice is less bad for your health than drinks with added sugar, such as soft drinks. At the same time, it is not suitable as a direct substitute for eating fruit. This is Floor Scheffers' conclusion in her doctoral thesis.

COVID-19 pandemic made me miss out on a key stage of my life, young people claim

Young people aged 12–25 feel that the COVID-19 pandemic made them miss out on a key stage of their lives. They have indicated that important milestones, such as graduation ceremonies or the start of student life, passed them by. This is evident from the latest quarterly study conducted by the Network for Health Research in Disasters.

New version of NEVO with updated data on meat and dairy substitutes

Today, RIVM will publish the new version of the Dutch Food Composition Database (Nederlands Voedingsstoffenbestand, NEVO). This contains information on the composition of more than 2,300 foods.

75% lower risk of hospitalisation after repeat vaccination against COVID-19

The repeat vaccination against COVID-19 for 2023 has been available since September. People aged over 60 who had been vaccinated before had a more than 75% lower risk of hospitalisation with COVID-19 after getting the repeat vaccination.

Growing and diverse range of self-tests, but limited data on usage, impact and reliability

Self-tests allow people to gather health information autonomously, without the involvement of a healthcare professional such as their GP. Among other things, self-tests make it possible for them to test for the presence or likelihood of a condition.

Vulnerable groups hit hardest by COVID-19 pandemic

A new RIVM study has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing socio-economic differences. People on lower incomes visited test lanes less often during the pandemic, but were admitted to hospital and intensive care with COVID-19 more often.

Number of Combined Lifestyle Intervention participants more than doubles in one year

The number of participants that has started the Combined Lifestyle Intervention (CLI) has more than doubled over the course of a single year. Nationwide, over 82,000 people have now started the CLI. According to RIVM’s annual report, most of the participants achieve a good outcome.

Predicting who will experience symptoms after Lyme disease remains challenging

Each year, approximately 27,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease. For most, the symptoms disappear after treatment with antibiotics. Unfortunately, 25% of those treated have chronic symptoms, such as fatigue, concentration disorders or pain.

Increase in STI consultations in 2023, rise in gonorrhoea cases persists

The number of consultations for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at Sexual Health Centres (SHCs) was higher in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year. Notably, the number of gonorrhoea cases continues to rise.