Vulnerable groups in society have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic Some vulnerable groups in society have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic than less vulnerable groups. These include young people (up to 24 years) who have physical or mental problems or come from low-income families.
More than 1 in 5 young people had suicidal thoughts during last lockdown More than 1 in 5 young people (22%) between the ages of 12 and 25 years seriously thought about ending their lives between December 2021 and February 2022. A lockdown was in effect in the Netherlands at that time.
Pupils in secondary school less happy than before the COVID-19 crisis Pupils in the second and fourth years of secondary school in the Netherlands felt less happy in 2021 than before the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, in 2019. iStockphoto
RIVM: seven e-cigarette flavourings with tobacco-taste pose health risk The Dutch government only wants to allow 23 e-cigarette flavourings with a tobacco-taste. RIVM examined whether these 23 flavourings are harmful to people’s health.
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.
Tailor-made information will help immigrants make decisions on taking part in screening programmes Immigrants are relatively less likely to take part in preventive screening programmes, such as cancer screening. This is partly due to the language barrier and a lack of knowledge, according to a doctoral thesis by Nora Hamdiui.
Public opinion: keep society open and continue providing healthcare during COVID-19 surge In the long-term approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dutch government is assigning a key role to civil society and private citizens. When asked what their priorities are in that context, the answer was to prevent delays in surgical interventions.
International research confirms: lockdowns have negative impact on many young people Lockdowns have a negative impact on the physical and mental health of many young people. They get less exercise and experience more feelings of depression, loneliness and insecurity.
New: NEVO online 2021 RIVM published a new online edition of the Dutch food composition database (NEVO).
Significant increase in support for and compliance with coronavirus measures Compliance with coronavirus measures such as working from home, distancing and testing if you have symptoms increased during the recent period of high infection rates and hospital admissions.