Karremans: Legal Health Goals, Health Commissioner
- The Netherlands faces increasing socio-economic health disparities and a rise in chronic diseases.
- In its spring 2023 advisory report, "On Our Health," the RVS called for legally binding health goals across all levels of government.To facilitate the formulation of these goals,...
- In 2024, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), along with various stakeholders, organized in-depth sessions focusing on public health.
Dutch health Official Rejects Call for National Health Goals, commissioner
Table of Contents
- Dutch health Official Rejects Call for National Health Goals, commissioner
- Dutch Public Health: A Q&A on Proposed Changes
- What are the key concerns regarding public health in the Netherlands?
- What is the “Delta Plan for Public Health” and who is advocating for it?
- What did the Council for Public Health & Society (RVS) propose in its 2023 report titled “On our Health”?
- What is the role suggested for a public health commissioner?
- What strategy is the State Secretary for Health, Mr. Maarten Karremans, pursuing instead of a commissioner?
- what is a “Basic Public Health package” and why is it being proposed?
- What tasks will the “Basic Public Health Package” include?
- Why did State Secretary Karremans reject the call for legally binding health goals?
- What are the concerns about legally binding health goals?
- What is the timeline for further developments in Dutch public health policy?
- Comparison of Proposed Public Health Approaches
The Netherlands faces increasing socio-economic health disparities and a rise in chronic diseases. Once boasting the highest life expectancy in Europe during the 1980s,the nation has since fallen too a mid-tier ranking. The Council for Public Health & Society (RVS) has voiced concerns about the public health system, advocating for a thorough “Delta Plan for Public Health.”
Strengthening Public Health initiatives
In its spring 2023 advisory report, “On Our Health,” the RVS called for legally binding health goals across all levels of government.To facilitate the formulation of these goals, promote transparent collaboration, and encourage citizen involvement, the RVS proposed the creation of a public health commissioner. The aim was to insulate public health policy from short-term political cycles.
In 2024, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), along with various stakeholders, organized in-depth sessions focusing on public health. The State Secretary for Health,Maarten Karremans,outlined a strategy to strengthen public health through several key initiatives,including collaborative efforts with field parties to develop a shared vision for the future of public health policy.
Basic Public Health Package
However, Karremans has rejected the call for a government commissioner. In a letter to the Dutch Parliament, Karremans stated, “No more management layers are needed, but more implementation is needed.” Instead of a commissioner, the State Secretary is pursuing the establishment of two new consultation structures: an Administrative Consultation Public Health, where municipalities and other stakeholders will collaborate with the government to determine policy direction, and a guidance group called ‘Healthy Conscience’, comprised of scientists and field experts who will monitor and advise on long-term developments.
Karremans is also advocating for the legal establishment of a uniform basic task package for municipalities in the area of public health. This measure aims to address existing inequalities between municipalities and local health services (GGDs). The package will include tasks already receiving structural funding, such as sexual health, addressing health disparities, and programs focused on early childhood development and fall prevention.
Rejection of Legal Health Goals
While the legal codification of health goals is being explored,Karremans expressed reservations. “Setting goals implies that health can be made,while there are many factors of influence,” he said. The State Secretary believes that legally binding health goals would disregard individual duty. Furthermore, Karremans argues that such legal anchoring, with the VWS as the responsible ministry, would undermine shared responsibility. He intends to first investigate the legal and financial implications of such a step.
Karremans also emphasized the importance of a clear division of responsibilities between decentralized and centralized authorities. “For the long term, I want to explore further whether there are more tasks that may be more centrally controlled,” he stated. A progress report is expected in early 2026.
Dutch Public Health: A Q&A on Proposed Changes
Explore the evolving landscape of public health in the Netherlands.This Q&A dives into recent developments, including proposed initiatives, rejections, and future plans.
What are the key concerns regarding public health in the Netherlands?
the Netherlands is facing several critical public health challenges. there’s the increasing presence of socio-economic health disparities, and a rise in chronic diseases. Moreover, the nation’s standing in life expectancy, once the highest in Europe during the 1980s, has slipped to a mid-tier ranking. The Council for Public Health & Society (RVS) has expressed alarm about the existing public health system.
What is the “Delta Plan for Public Health” and who is advocating for it?
The “Delta Plan for Public Health” is a proposal put forward by the Council for Public Health & society (RVS). This plan suggests a thorough overhaul of the public health system in the Netherlands to address the nation’s health challenges.
What did the Council for Public Health & Society (RVS) propose in its 2023 report titled “On our Health”?
The RVS’s spring 2023 advisory report,”On Our Health,” called for legally binding health goals across all levels of government. To facilitate the formulation of these goals, promote transparent collaboration, and encourage citizen involvement, the RVS proposed creating a public health commissioner. The aim was to insulate public health policy from the potential impacts of short-term political cycles.
What is the role suggested for a public health commissioner?
The RVS proposed the creation of a public health commissioner. The aim was to insulate public health policy from short-term political cycles.
What strategy is the State Secretary for Health, Mr. Maarten Karremans, pursuing instead of a commissioner?
Instead of appointing a public health commissioner, State secretary Maarten Karremans is focusing on two new consultation structures.These are:
- Administrative Consultation Public Health: This platform will foster collaboration between municipalities, other stakeholders, and the government to shape policy direction.
- ‘Healthy Conscience’ Guidance group: Comprising scientists and field experts, this group will monitor and advise on long-term public health developments.
what is a “Basic Public Health package” and why is it being proposed?
The “Basic Public health Package” is a set of standardized tasks that municipalities would be legally required to undertake in the area of public health. This measure aims to address the existing inequalities between municipalities and local health services (GGDs).
What tasks will the “Basic Public Health Package” include?
The package will incorporate existing tasks already receiving structural funding. These include:
- sexual health services
- Programs addressing health disparities
- Initiatives focused on early childhood development
- Fall prevention programs
Why did State Secretary Karremans reject the call for legally binding health goals?
Karremans expressed reservations about legally binding health goals for several reasons.He stated, “Setting goals implies that health can be made, while there are many factors of influence.” He believes that legally binding goals could disregard individual duty and undermine shared responsibility. He intends to first investigate the legal and financial implications of such a step.
What are the concerns about legally binding health goals?
The State Secretary for Health, maarten Karremans believes that legally binding health goals would:
- Imply that complete control over health outcomes is possible, which is not true given the complexity of influencing factors.
- Disregard individual responsibility for health.
- Undermine shared responsibility across various parties involved in public health.
What is the timeline for further developments in Dutch public health policy?
A progress report on the developments discussed is expected in early 2026.
Comparison of Proposed Public Health Approaches
Here’s a quick comparison of the approaches proposed by the RVS and the current State Secretary:
| aspect | RVS Proposal | State Secretary Karremans’ Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Key Goal | implement legally binding public health goals and create a Public Health Commissioner. | Strengthen public health with collaborative efforts, create consultation structures, and establish a basic task package. |
| Main Instruments | Legally binding health goals, a Public Health Commissioner. | Administrative Consultation Public Health,’Healthy Conscience’ guidance group,and a basic task package for municipalities. |
| Focus | Insulate policy from political cycles, facilitate public participation, and ensure health goals are met. | Prioritize implementation, address inequalities between municipalities & local health services (GGDs), and long-term monitoring. |