Eating less salt can prevent tens of thousands of heart attacks and strokes Lowering the amount of salt in processed foods or choosing low-salt alternatives can lead to substantial health benefits when it comes to cardiovascular disease.
Flu season in the winter of 2014 / 2015 more severe and longer than preceding years The flu epidemic in the winter of 2014 / 2015 lasted 21 weeks and as such was the longest epidemic ever recorded in the Netherlands. Nearly two million people suffered from flu-like symptoms.
Virus RNA can help to prevent the spread of infection Using information about the RNA (genetic material) of a virus in reconstructing an outbreak can help to map the extent of the outbreak, the infection source and the way in which the virus is transm
Warning labels on chicken products are well read and highly valued A warning label on the packaging of raw chicken products may result in improved kitchen hygiene among one quarter of the population.
Large differences in childhood obesity in Europe The percentage of overweight (including obesity) among 6-9-year-old children differs between European countries, ranging from 18 to 57%. Percentages are highest in southern European countries.
Broad approach needed against pharmaceutical residues in environment We can all help to reduce pollution of the environment by pharmaceutical residues.
Icy air measurements Bernice Notenboom’s Arctic March expedition team has reached the summit of Greenland. She has conquered the 3500-metre high summit on Greenland with functioning air measuring equipment.
Vaccination using needles: there are alternatives Dr Hoang Hirschberg, employed at RIVM, has carried out PhD research into three alternatives for needle injections. She concluded that all alternatives have advantages and limitations.
Injection needles: fact-finding and risk assessment of excess adhesive Commissioned by the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate (IGZ), RIVM investigated whether excess adhesive is present in two types of injection needles from the Terumo Company (K-Pack II and Neolus).
Points of special interest in home treatment with complex medical technologies Patients are increasingly being treated with complex medical technologies in their own home. This offers great benefits, however, it also introduces risks.