Residents of major Dutch cities in the Randstad region face growing risks of loneliness and obesity.
Projected Increases
A GGD Haaglanden study forecasts that by 2020, half of The Hague's population will experience loneliness and overweight issues. Risks for anxiety, depression, diabetes, and heart attacks are also set to climb.
Key Drivers
These trends stem partly from an aging population and rising numbers of non-Western residents. Notably, diabetes prevalence is 2-4 times higher among Hindu, Turkish, and Moroccan communities. Similar patterns appear in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht.
