[The impact of climate change on health in the Netherlands: the latest insights]. / De impact van klimaatverandering op gezondheid in Nederland.

This synthesis provides the latest insights into the impact of climate change in the Netherlands for which five separate health effects are particularly relevant. Climate change is associated with increased frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves. Major heat-related health risks include heat stroke, exacerbations of renal dysfunction due to dehydration and cardiovascular disease due to overheating. Climate change is associated with more hours of sunshine and more ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Heat and air pollution, both effects of climate change, lead to significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Climate change is associated with an increase in water, food and vector-related infectious diseases due to, among other things, an increased temperature, increased water recreation and an altered water quality. Another effect is an increase in allergies and respiratory complaints via the prolongation and intensification of the pollen season. Our conclusion is that climate change in the Netherlands mainly entails negative health effects.

[Distinguishing people by ethnic background in healthcare]. / Onderscheid naar etnische afkomst.

Discrimination based on ethnic background and the use of terminology like 'Negro Race' in clinical practice guidelines have been criticized, also in this journal. Typical Dutch words 'allochtonen', 'non-western', 'Creools' and 'Hindostan' are unspecific or could also offend people. Nevertheless, there are health risks related to ethnic background. Healthcare improves when health professionals would consider these, contributing to person centred cultural sensitive care. Therefore, we aimed to start a discussion about which acceptable terminologies should be used to describe ethnic differences in guidelines and research. We suggest that terminologies use to describe ethnic minority groups should be as precise as possible and should not be offensive, for instance 'migration background' instead of allochtoon, and 'African-Surinamese' instead of Creool. We invite guideline developers, researchers and people of different ethnic background, to join this discussion.