Since 2019, Sciensano has been combining the results of various studies and sources via the online ‘Health Status Report’ to estimate how healthy the Belgian inhabitants are. In general, we are rather healthy, but in some areas, such as mental health, we do not score very well. The COVID-19 crisis also had a clear impact on our health. In addition, important health inequalities remain, both at regional and socio-economic level.

What is your opinion about the use of your health data? On 28 January 2022, the 15th World Data Protection Day takes place: a reminder of the importance of protecting our privacy as our data is constantly being processed. The use and sharing of sensitive health data represents an opportunity beyond individual care to improve public health and the quality of care and treatment received and this within a regulated and secure framework to ensure our essential right to privacy. 

Sciensano launches the 9^th COVID-19 health survey with the focus on how we experience the 4^th COVID-19 wave. We reached over 60,000 people with our previous surveys, can we also count on you this time?

A study of the impact of COVID-19 on the Euroregion Meuse-Rhine (EMR), which was started by a cooperation of health authorities across the borders (under the lead of GGD Zuid Limburg) in cooperation with cross-border partners, shows that about 60 to 80 percent of the residents in the Euroregion Meuse-Rhine complied well with the corona measures and found them easy and useful. The mobility measures were considered restrictive by residents in the border region; they were less likely to cross the border for a short visit. ‘Back to normal’ was the most frequently given reason for having a corona vaccination. 

Today, Sciensano launches the 8th COVID-19 health survey, which focusses on your well-being and lifestyle. The previous COVID-19 health surveys had between 20,000 and 40,000 participants! Once again, we count on your participation.

Sciensano is conducting a study on the possible health effects of (nano)particles in face masks. The first results of the TiO₂Mask project show the presence of varying amounts of titanium dioxide particles in face masks. We still need to investigate whether and to what extent these particles can actually be released, but the quantities found do not rule out a possible health risk.