In 2025, more than 4.1 million invitations were sent to take part in one of the three population screening programmes for cancer: colorectal cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer. This brings many people in the Netherlands into direct contact with the population screening programmes. These figures are from the monitoring reports published today by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

The Combined Lifestyle Intervention (GLI), which supports people in increasing their physical activity and improving their diet, helps individuals with overweight and obesity lose weight and to improve their quality of life. This is what RIVM concludes in its final GLI monitor report.

The 13-week scan will not become a fixed element of the prenatal screening process. This was announced by Minister Sophie Hermans of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport on 12 October 2026 in a Parliamentary Letter. She bases this decision on a scientific study and subsequent advice from the Health Council of the Netherlands. Until 1 January 2028, pregnant women can still opt for the 13-week scan.

From October, many people will receive an invitation in their letterbox for the flu vaccination. The flu vaccination is intended for people at higher risk of serious illness from the flu. They can get the flu jab free of charge from their General Practitioner or their healthcare facility.

Increasing attention is being paid to giving all children in the Netherlands a healthy start in life. Nearly all municipalities now offer initiatives to support parents, parents-to-be and children as part of the national Solid Start approach. Even so, there has been no improvement to young children’s health over the past few years.

RIVM has calculated the societal costs and benefits of a group‑based programme for parents. This programme is intended for parents whose children (aged 2–12 years) are at increased risk of developing a behavioural disorder.

The government is considering introducing a sugar tax on food products. RIVM has examined two possible options for such a tax: one on products containing at least six grams of sugar per 100 grams (the 6% variant) and another on those containing at least 20 grams of sugar per 100 grams (the 20% variant). The study shows what proportion of the sugars consumed in the Netherlands would then be taxed.

The Netherlands has taken important steps in addressing hepatitis B and C infections over the past ten years. However, more effort is needed to significantly reduce the number of new and untreated hepatitis B and C infections. This is stated in the new RIVM National Hepatitis Plan 2026–2030.

How well is the Dutch population protected against infectious diseases? RIVM investigates this every ten years through the PIENTER study. The fourth round of the study began earlier this month. In total, around 125,000 people in the Netherlands will receive an invitation to take part over the coming year.