From 1 June 2022, heel prick test also screens for muscle disease SMA, bringing number of screened diseases to 26 From 1 June 2022, the heel prick test for Dutch newborns will also screen for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a serious hereditary muscle condition. Detecting this disease at an early stage enables early treatment.
More STI tests conducted by Sexual Health Centres In 2021, more people visited a Sexual Health Centre (SHC) to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than in 2020. This figure is still lower than in 2019, the year before the coronavirus outbreak.
New criteria for amount of salt, sugar and saturated fat in foods The National Approach to Product Improvement (Nationale Aanpak Productverbetering, in Dutch NAPV) is set to start this year.
New: NEVO online 2021 RIVM published a new online edition of the Dutch food composition database (NEVO).
Estimated costs of foodborne infections 140 million euros lower in 2020 In 2020, the estimated costs of foodborne infections in the Netherlands were 140 million euros lower than in the preceding year. This corresponds to a 30% decrease. ANP
Call for global action plan to save our oceans Scientists involved in the Seas Oceans and Public Health In Europe (SOPHIE) Project have proposed the first steps towards a united global plan to save our oceans, for the sake of human health. Andrzej-kryszpiniuk
RIVM collaborates at European level on the implemention of the Nutri-Score label The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland are collaborating to facilitate the nutritional label NutriScore.
Less meat and more tap water benefits health and the environment In the Netherlands, diets with a high environmental impact contain more meat and energy.
More gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia at Dutch STI clinics An increasing number of clients tested at a Dutch STI clinic for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is diagnosed with gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia.
Blood spot test extended as of 1 January 2017 to include two more disorders As of 1 January 2017, the disorders alpha and beta thalassaemia will be added to the neonatal blood spot (‘heel prick’) screening programme.