RIVM and EFSA optimise new calculation model for mixture risk assessment Plant protection products (PPPs) are products used in agriculture to protect crops against, for example, fungi, insects and weeds.
Participation rates in cancer population screening programmes continue to decline The number of participants in the population screening programmes for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer continues to decline. This decline has been going on for years, reaching its lowest point in 2020.
Healthy Living Environment programme launched The goal of the Healthy Living Environment programme (Programma Gezonde Leefomgeving, PGLO) is a healthy living environment for all. A healthy living environment is one that is clean and safe, protects against health risks and encourages exercise and socialising.
Strong interest among schools in incentive to promote healthy and sustainable eating Schools are highly interested in the promotional incentive of a programme teaching young children to eat healthy from a young age. The incentive is called ‘Let’s go outside for tasty food!’ or Lekker naar buiten! in Dutch. 2,273 schools applied for the funding over a three year period.
Launch of crisis response organisation LFI boosts pandemic preparedness On 2 October, Minister Kuipers of Health, Welfare and Sport launched a new crisis response organisation under the RIVM umbrella: the National Functionality for Scaling up Infectious Disease Control (LFI). The reason for setting up the LFI is the risk that the Netherlands will once again be confronted with a large-scale outbreak of an infectious disease.
Metabolic disorder ALD added to newborn blood spot screening Since 1 October, the metabolic disorder adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) has been added to the Dutch newborn blood spot screening. From now on, the blood of newborn boys will also be tested for this disorder. ALD in boys can be treated if it is detected in time.
GPs feel more personalised care for chronically ill patients was useful during coronavirus pandemic During the coronavirus pandemic, GPs had to take over some of the tasks of hospitals and mental healthcare providers.
Municipal Public Health Services once again conduct more STI consultations than before COVID-19 The number of STI consultations at the Sexual Health Centres of the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) was 19% higher in 2022 compared to 2021.
Fewer reports of tick bites in 2022 In 2022, the reported number of tick bites in the Netherlands fell by a third compared to previous years. In order to find a satisfactory explanation for such differences, researchers at WUR and RIVM have initiated a large-scale study via Tekenradar.nl. This will give them more insights into the 1.5 million tick bites in the Netherlands every year.
No reduction in number of young people with suicidal thoughts In March 2023, 14.1% of young people in the Netherlands (aged 12-25 years) reported seriously thinking about ending their life occasionally, often or very often.