News | RIVM

National cervical cancer screening campaign under way

Today sees the kick-off of the national campaign: Let’s talk about cervical cancer – have you #done the smear test or self-test yet? This marks the first time that RIVM, Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland and the KWF Dutch Cancer Society are launching a joint campaign to call attention to cervical cancer screening.

Reducing the impact of painkillers in water: conscious choices and appropriate use

Too many medicine residues end up in surface water. RIVM has investigated the impact on surface water resulting from five painkillers that are also available without a prescription.

More than 2.7 million COVID-19 vaccinations administered in the 2023 autumn round

In the 2023 autumn round, more than 2,731,000 people in the Netherlands received a COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination coverage for people over 60 is currently 50.5%. Vaccination coverage varies by age group and region. COVID-19 vaccination was available until 22 December 2023.

National Prevention Agreement’s impact on smoking, overweight and problematic alcohol consumption as yet insufficient

The Dutch government wants to reduce the percentage of people who smoke, are overweight or whose alcohol consumption is problematic. To this end, the National Prevention Agreement was drawn up in 2018, with ambitions for 2040. The 2040 ambitions for all three theme’s will not be achieved.

Protection against rotavirus included in National Immunisation Programme from 2024

From 2024, rotavirus vaccination will be included in the National Immunisation Programme (NIP). Rotavirus can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration in babies, in some cases requiring them to be hospitalised.

Publication WHO Good Practice Brief RIVM Centre for Healthy Living

The Good Practice Brief 'Centre for Healthy Living in the Netherlands: Building sustainable capacity and alliances for effective health promotion' has been published on the World Health Organ

Fewer TB patients in the Netherlands

The key figures of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) show that in 2017, the number of TB patients in the Netherlands fell below 800 TB patients for the first time

Hormone-disrupting effect methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben still unclear

RIVM has conducted literature research into the hormone-disrupting effects of the three most commonly used parabens (methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben) and the exposure of consumers to these substa

Legislation on maximum permitted amount of synephrine in food supplements is desirable

Harmful health effects of dietary supplements with high levels of synephrine, which are used to lose weight or improve sports performance, cannot be excluded.

RIVM develops a framework for a broader view of establishing food safety standards

In Europe, strict requirements apply to food safety. Food safety standards are determined at international level.