The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Trimbos Institute are calling on the next government to invest broadly in mental health, focusing on prevention, identifying problems at an early stage, and applying an approach that addresses mental health across all policy areas. 

Since the end of the previous century, the government has ramped up the number of measures to reduce emissions of air pollutants. RIVM research has shown that the number of people who died after multiple days with elevated concentrations in the air of these pollutants dropped by around 25% between 1995 and 2019.

Some antifungal drugs, such as those working against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida, are becoming less effective due to an increase in resistance. As a result, it is becoming more difficult to treat people with these fungal infections.

In the autumn round of 2025, a total of 2,253,476 COVID-19 vaccinations were registered by RIVM. Vaccination coverage for people over 60 is 41.7%. Vaccination coverage varies by age group and region.

RIVM has warned travellers to Cape Verde about a shigellosis risk. The bacterial infection causes severe bloody diarrhoea and fever. Eight Dutch travellers were diagnosed with shigellosis in September and October 2025. These people had been staying in resorts on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista.

The Dutch population continues to work to an older age, generally doing so in good health. Even at an advanced age, most people are physically and mentally able to perform their work. However, the groups of people who are unable to do so, such as those with little education or those who work in physically demanding jobs, require our ongoing attention.

Well-being and social cohesion are important pillars for how society can withstand a crisis, such as a pandemic. It is therefore important to pay continuous attention to these factors—before, during, and after a crisis.

The number of people aged 65 and over living independently who participated in a fall risk assessment has increased. This assessment is used to determine the risk of falling. In 2024, the assessment was administered at least 50,000 times. This is still below the intended target of 14 per cent of all elderly people living independently (over 500,000).

Participation in the three population screening programmes for cancer offered by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has met with varying interest. Participation in breast cancer screening decreased again last year. A (slight) increase was observed in the screening programmes for colorectal cancer and cervical cancer.

Today, RIVM will publish the new edition of the Dutch Food Composition Database (Nederlands Voedingsstoffenbestand, NEVO). This contains information on the nutritional value of more than 2,300 food products, including their composition in terms of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.