Health

   Increasing prosperity and medical research have improved Dutch health conditions tremendously during the last century, yet “new” and typical geriatric disorders, such as strokes, dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, diabetes, AIDS, overweight complications, and so on, have taken their toll. In 2003, the leading causes of death in the Netherlands were cardiovascular conditions (33 percent) and cancer (28 percent). Although the number of smok ers has decreased to about 30 percent of the population, lung cancer and related troubles remain severe problems. The costs of the Dutch health system have become incredibly high. Until 2006, Dutch em ployees with a salary (and employers with a gross profit) of less than 33,000 euros, and persons on relief, could resort to the Dutch Na tional Health Service. All others had to take out a private health in surance. Jan Peter Balkenende’s second cabinet introduced a new system, of which the basic principles are the same for all citizens. A part of the contribution, however, is related to people’s earnings and will be paid by the employers. The government implemented new regulations on disablement at the same time.

   See also Epidemics.