If historical trends continue unchanged, dementia will be the leading cause of disease burden in 2040 and the main cause of death.

As of 1 January 2017, the disorders alpha and beta thalassaemia will be added to the neonatal blood spot (‘heel prick’) screening programme.

On 26 October 2015, heel prick screening started for all newborns on St Eustatius and Saba.

On the first day of the 17th European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG), the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) organises a workshop on ‘Our health in 2040’.

Dutch people are reaching an increasingly advanced age: in 2030, the life expectancy of men will be 82 years, and of women, 85.

The number of chronically ill people in the Netherlands has been increasing.