On Tuesday morning, during consultations at the asylum center, I meet Brahim. In his file, I read that during his escape route from North Africa to Belgium, he jumped from a high wall and broke one of his vertebrae. Two years have passed, but Brahim still has a lot of pain in his back. He is told every time that the pain is no longer related to the fracture itself, which (according to a recent CT scan) has now healed. He was referred to a physiotherapist and given pain medication, but nothing helped.

Although the names Jesus and Mary might evoke native and scenic thoughts, the reality is far from it. Jesus was not born in Bethlehem but in a small town in the Portuguese Mountains, Oliveira do Hospital, a name that was foreseeing his lifecycle.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are psychiatric disorders with often severe somatic consequences, categorized under the chapter of feeding and eating disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5). These patients experience a significant loss of quality of life and an increased risk of premature death. The incidence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa combined is estimated at 20 per 100,000 primary care patients per year. In reality, these numbers are likely higher due to underdetection.

Should the abortion limit in Belgium be relaxed from 12 to 18 weeks of pregnancy? For the most vulnerable women, this could improve aftercare, with fewer financial implications as a result.

In Belgium, abortion at the request of the woman is possible during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy (calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period). Legal restrictions on abortion during the second trimester of pregnancy lead to medical tourism in neighboring countries. An abortion in the second trimester can be safely performed when carried out by a skilled health worker.

Every year, 800 to 900 new HIV diagnoses are made in Belgium. This corresponds to two to three diagnoses per day. An estimated 20,000 people in Belgium are living with HIV, and 2,000 to 3,000 people are still unaware that they are infected.

Since February 1st, 2020, the European branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) has been led by our compatriot Hans Kluge. From the Danish capital Copenhagen, he monitors health policy in the 53 countries that belong to the European part of the WHO.

Exposure to nature reduces symptoms of stress, burnout, sleep problems, depression, and shows positive effects on high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and chronic pain. These are all conditions that are prevalent and could benefit from additional approaches for management. The question is how GP’s can facilitate visits to nature, as it can be an extra tool, complementary to the current approach for chronic conditions and mental health issues.

Climate change, environmental pollution, loss of ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as the lack of nature in an urban environment, have a negative impact on human health and well-being.1-3 Health care professionals are increasingly urged to integrate planetary health considerations in ethical practice.4,5 After all, taking care of the patient also means taking care of the systems that generate the well-being and healthy life of the patient and ourselves.

The use of e-cigarettes as an alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes is becoming more and more popular. The latest Health Survey by Sciensano (2018) shows that 15.5% of the Belgian population has already used an e-cigarette. The main reasons for using this alternative are to quit smoking, reduce smoking, and enjoy the experience of smoking an e-cigarette.