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An emergency to protect children’s health

June 11, 2024

Children’s Health: By the Numbers

Last month, a young student at Eton College died at the age of 17 years while playing games at the College fields. Unfortunately, this sad event is not an isolated incident. During the same week, a different young football player collapsed in 3 separate world football games. As a stunned commentator said, “World football, unfortunately, has been subject to so many distressing scenes on the pitch over the last few years.”


Investigations are urgently needed if we are to cultivate healthy generations by 2040. Trends and observations for children (0-14 years) reviewed in this article confirm that the health of the young population is deteriorating. Unfortunately, until now the sharp decline in children’s immune systems is not capturing the attention of experts and public health authorities. 



To rescue children’s health, this needs to be viewed as an emergency. Policies for any poorly investigated drugs or vaccines with serious risks for harmful side effects could be halted until safety and effectiveness are demonstrated through analysis by independent parties. 


For a healthy, balanced, and economically flourishing country, the best return on investments will be from programs aiming to support women’s health during pregnancy and children’s health.


Increased Mortality in Children 0-14 Years

The latest numbers on trends in excess mortality on Eurostat, the UK, and the US for children in the age 0-14 years as analyzed by Phinance Technologies can no longer be neglected. 


Phinance Technologies estimates excess mortality by computing deathrates relative to a given baseline, rather than by changes in deaths. This significantly improves the accuracy of changes in mortality. The method 2C, as used in figures presented in this article, estimates excess death rates by computing relative to a baseline that is the continuation of a previous trend in excess deaths. The analysis aims to significantly improve accuracy on excess mortality.


Several countries analyzed over the past four years have noticed increases in excess mortality for all ages. Among them are the Netherlands, the US, the UK, and Bulgaria. These are facing a remarkable increase in excess mortality in children 0-14 years in 2021-2023. On the other hand, far less or no excess mortality in children 0-14 years is observed in countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium.


In January 2024 Eurostat Excess mortality statistics reported the highest rates of excess mortality in the Netherlands, followed by Denmark. Ten countries, among them Bulgaria, recorded no excess deaths. Excess mortalities in Eurostat figures are shown in percentage difference versus average monthly deaths 2016-2019 (method 1).



Results on Excess Mortality the Netherlands, the UK, and the US 

Data analysis on excess mortalities analyzed by Phinance Technologies are presented in Figures (1-5).

Figure 1A Excess deaths for age group 0-14 the Netherlands (method 2C)




Figure 1B Excess deaths for age group 10-14 The Netherlands (method 2C)




The highest trend in more deaths than expected was found for the youngest age group 0-14 years (Figure 1A).


Figure 1B shows that the Netherlands is facing a public health problem, especially for the age group 10-14 years with a rise in excess deaths more than expected from 2020 onwards, up to a staggering 60% in 2023. In the age group 0-14 years, fewer deaths were observed in 2021 and 2022 than in 2020, but the year 2023 showed 15% more excess deaths than expected (Figure 1A).


Irrespective of the analysis method (1, 2A, or 2C), each used all computing methods of data for the group 10-14 years and showed a trend in more deaths than expected in the years starting in 2020 to 2023.


UK

Figure 2A: Excess deaths for age group 1-14 UK (method 2C)




Figure 2B: Excess deaths for age group 0 UK (method 2C)


In the UK, excess deaths are up a staggering 22% among 1-14 years old in 2023 (Figure 2A). In 2020, there were 9% fewer deaths. In 2021, there were 7% fewer deaths than expected. In 2022, there were 16% more deaths and in 2023, there were 22% more deaths than expected. Figures from the Office of National Statistics show about 10% more deaths than expected across all age groups.


The UK is the only country reporting an increase in more deaths than expected for newborn babies 0-1 years from 2021 onwards, with 24% more deaths than expected in the year 2023 (Figure 2B). 


The highest increase in child death in 2021-2023 was observed in the most deprived quintile of the UK and among black, Asian, and other populations.


USA

Figure 3: Excess deaths for age group 0-24 USA (method 2C)




In the US, an increase in more deaths than expected is seen for the age 0-24 years in 2020-2023 (figure 3). As compared to other age groups in 2023, the highest number of more deaths than expected was found for the age group 0-24 years. Unfortunately, specific analysis 2020-2023 for the age 10-14 years is not available for the US. 


The VAERS analysis update from 23-2-2024 showed children aged 6 months to 17 years had 192 reported deaths, 90,288 reported injuries, and 11,160 children not recovered from their injuries.


Analysis of VAERS data on all vaccine deaths from 1988-2021 demonstrated that Covid vaccine deaths in one year are equivalent to deaths from all other vaccines.


The recently forced release of hidden CDC data showed that among all age groups, hundreds of thousands of Americans sought medical assistance after a Covid-19 vaccination. The data showed 37,231 reported deaths, 214,906 reported hospitalizations, 1,630,913 adverse event reports. and 2.5 million people reported having to miss schoolwork or other normal activities.



A Mystery

Why some countries observe in children 0-14 years more excess deaths than expected while other countries see fewer deaths than expected is still a mystery. 


In 2023, Western ‘rich’ countries with a qualified and expensive healthcare system (the Netherlands) observed more deaths than expected while others (Belgium) reported fewer deaths than expected in children aged 0-14 years (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Cumulative weekly Excess Deaths for year 2023 Belgium (Method 2C)



Bulgaria observes more deaths than expected for children 0-14 years in 2021-2022-2023. The highest increase in more deaths than expected for all age groups was observed in 2021 (data not shown).


In the EU, Bulgaria is a country with the cheapest healthcare system and lowest life expectancy. In the elderly population, there is low Covid-19 vaccine coverage. However, in contrast to all other age groups, the country noticed more children dying than expected in the youngest age 0-14 years (Figure 5). 


For children under 18 months of age, vaccinations are mandatory in Bulgaria. Severe Covid-19 infections in the age group 0-14 years are rare. The cause for more deaths than expected is unknown.

Figure 5: Cumulative weekly Excess Deaths for year 2023 Bulgaria (Method 2C)



The difference among countries in more children dying than expected needs further exploration. From an ethical point of view, it is expected that all countries report all death cases to EU data platforms that are officially used for statistics on excess mortality and comparative analysis between countries. To improve future public health policies, it is highly important that accurate and reliable numbers and methods (estimating changes in mortality) are used for lessons to be learned.


Based on current data, there is a serious warning on the devastating degradation of the children’s immune system. The percentage of immunocompromised children in the worldwide population is rising. In countries with more children dying than expected, public health authorities have a responsibility to urgently investigate possible causes.


More Immunocompromised Children

The biggest public health threat is not a virus but a weakened immune system, as explained in an October 2021 publication. Unfortunately, this is experienced today. 


No one can deny that young women and children have been hit hardest during the pandemic. 


Over the past four years, women and children have been exposed to more stress, fear, loneliness and anxiety, increased use of medicine (antidepressants, psychotropic medicine, NSAID, antibiotics, immune suppressive, cancer medication), poverty, and vaccinations.


Pregnant women, children, and adolescents are more susceptible to intoxication.


Pregnancy

It is the first time in history that most Western countries recommended three vaccines for pregnant women: mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, DTaP (a combined Diphtheria Tetanus acellular Pertussis) vaccine, and a flu vaccine. In December 2021, the UK prioritized pregnant women for Covid-19 vaccinations or booster injections. A blog at GovUK says it is fine to have the vaccinations at any stage of the pregnancy. The vaccines meet strict safety and effectiveness checks. On March 27th 2024, the Health Advisory Board in the Netherlands decided that a Covid-19 vaccine for pregnant women is no longer recommended. 


Long-term effects are not known. Results from clinical trials with lipid nanoparticle and pseudouridine modified mRNA Covid-19 vaccines in pregnant women have long been hidden from the public. Just recently, investigations of the many pages of Pfizer documents released under court, analyzed by Dr. Naomi Wolf and her team, have shown the risks for the harm on the human body and the reproductive system. A research letter published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology suggests a transplacental transmission of the Covid-19 mRNA post-vaccination to fetus and baby. Two studies suggest that vaccination during the first trimester of pregnancy produces a greater rate of developmental problems as compared to vaccination during the third trimester. Moreover, mRNA vaccines could have negative effects, increasing the risk of unrelated infections.


Recently, safety concerns put a stop to a maternal RSV vaccine study. They observed 151 more preterm births and 10 more neonatal deaths in the vaccine group. The Health Council in the Netherlands just advised to protect all children against RSV through the national vaccination program. Vaccination of pregnant women is one way to protect the children.


DTaP vaccinations during pregnancy are stated to be safe and effective for the fetus and the mother, as these are not live attenuated vaccines. However, a study with an acellular pertussis vaccination in mice impaired the cellular immunity to Bordetella Pertussis infection in the offspring. 


A more than 4,000% increase in miscarriage was found when in 2009-2010 both a pandemic (A-H1N1) and seasonal flu vaccine were administered during pregnancy. A systematic review on the safety of influenza vaccination during pregnancy concluded ‘evidence with very low certainty suggests that seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy is not associated with adverse birth outcomes or maternal non-obstetric Severe Adverse Events.’ The low potential benefits (10-60%) of the current flu vaccines have been confirmed in Why flu vaccines so often fail in Science: ‘This immunization program has been predicated on assumptions on top of assumptions.’ 


Moreover, in the Netherlands 3 out of 4 pregnant women use medicine without knowing if the doses of drugs used during pregnancy need to be different. In April 2024, a platform was introduced for information on the use of medicine during pregnancy. Interactions by medicine and vaccinations on mother, fetus, and baby in the short and long term, as discussed in ‘The collapse of women and work,’ have not been widely studied. A negative interaction of medicine and Covid mRNA vaccines on the human gut microbiome has been found.


Children

An imbalance of the human gut microbiome (gut dysbiosis) is an optimal situation for opportunistic pathogenic bacteria to multiply and a risk to pass a maximum tolerated toxin level into the fetus and child. The damage can vary: infectious disease, invasive bacteremia to chronic diseases, cardiac vascular problems, cancer, early aging, or a sudden death.


Whether or not there has been a confounding of a correlation between the new Covid-19 vaccines and more deaths than expected in children 0-14 years is difficult to assess. Personalized data of the medical history of children would be beneficial to better understand what the ultimate causes of a fatal complication in immunocompromised conditions are. 


A recent article from the CDC argues that there is no relation between the vaccine and sudden death in young people. However, a much larger Korean study found 19.8% of severe vaccine-related myocarditis in all vaccine-related myocarditis. The authors concluded that sudden cardiac death should be closely monitored as a potentially fatal complication of the Covid-19 vaccination.


A self-reported physician-diagnosed study in Saudi Arabia found cardiac complications one month to one year post-mRNA vaccination in 27% of individuals who participated. In a Japanese study, increased age-adjusted cancer mortality was observed after a third dose of mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine during the Covid-19 pandemic. A population-based study among Danish adolescents of 12-17 years showed that myopericarditis after a Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA Covid vaccination occurred more frequently as compared to US reports. 


Unfortunately, in a study with 29 vaccinated children (5-11 years), markedly reduced immune responses were found to pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus 28 days after the second doses with Pfizer. 


There have been publications that support the recommendation that both children with an underlying medical condition and otherwise healthy children receive an mRNA Covid vaccine. However, there are also publications that conclude that the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccination program for children may not outweigh the risk.


Last week, a leading WHO vaccine expert testified in a lawsuit in Finland. She advised against Covid vaccine passports, as the vaccines did not stop transmission and gave a false sense of security and that this was known in June 2021. 


Whereas children 0-14 years had proven long-term and robust natural immunity by early 2021 and it was known that serious infections with SARS-CoV-2 virus are very rare, in numerous countries children were indirectly forced to be vaccinated to participate at schools and sports, travel, or go out.


The introduction of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine meant one, two, or three extra injections in young children on top of the normal childhood vaccination program. The number of children vaccinated per country varies. Studies on if, when, and how the new vaccines could best be introduced within this standard program were not available or poorly studied.


Moreover, a systematic review on observational childhood vaccination studies has found that the reception of DTP may be associated with an increase in all-cause mortality. Also, a peer-reviewed article on Guinea Bissau found that after the introduction of DTP, there was an increased overall mortality in all studies. 


The article, ‘Vaccinology time to change the paradigm?’, an open and transparent reflection on the existing vaccine paradigm, noted that non-live vaccines enhance the susceptibility of girls to unrelated infections.


In the Netherlands and the UK, whooping cough pneumonia has increased far above levels in previous years, especially in the age group 5-14 years. In February-March 2024, 4 babies diagnosed with whooping cough died in the Netherlands. In previous years, this was one to two babies per year.


For children aged 0-4 years, acute otitis media, acute upper respiratory tract infections, jaundice, and gastro-intestinal problems have increased the past two years. Overall, in many countries sickness in children is increasing. It can be whooping cough, hepatitis, adenovirus, MISC, measles, Bird Flu, or disease X. Among the chronic diseases: anxiety, depression, chronic pain, cancer, and diabetes are expected to rise the most.


Unfortunately, as with Covid-19, the data presented on dashboards are mainly filled by data from inaccurate PCR tests. A recent case in court in Portugal decided that results of a PCR test without seeing a doctor are not sufficient for diagnosis.


People with immunocompromising conditions are more vulnerable to a complex infection and inflammation (chronic disease). Though overall patient survival has increased, pneumonia is the most common invasive infection in immunocompromised patients and continues to carry a high mortality and morbidity rate. Possible mechanisms for how opportunistic pathogenic bacteria take over in an impaired immune system is explained via the dramatic degradation of the human immune system.


Vaccinating Immunocompromised Children is Not Without Risk

Immunocompromised individuals may not mount as strong an immune response as healthy individuals. During the pandemic, multiple booster doses have been recommended for immunocompromised individuals and as a result may have become at higher risk for breakthrough infections where they contract Covid-19 despite booster vaccinations. 


Recent research has shown that multiple doses of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines may result in higher levels of IgG4 antibodies or impaired activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. An impaired immune system becomes more vulnerable to infections and inflammation.


Unfortunately, there is a lack of reliable information inferred from long-term studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of repeated booster doses in risk populations. Even for healthy individuals, repeated vaccinations with the lipid nanoparticle N1 methylpseudouridine mRNA may have resulted in an impaired immune system and a higher risk for cancer or infectious diseases.


Overall long-term effects of childhood vaccination programs in immunocompromised malnourished children have been poorly studied. Even in the absence of infection, malnutrition is generally a pro-inflammatory disease.


Since the introduction of the acellular Pertussis vaccine, it is well known that despite widespread vaccine coverage, the number of cases of pertussis reported in high income countries has increased, with a characteristic peak every 2-5 years. 


It is worth reflecting on the statement that Pertussis is rising due to declining vaccine coverage. Impaired immune systems have been observed after the third through fifth injection with DTaP vaccine. 


Moreover, many studies have shown that the acellular subunit Pertussis vaccine does not stop transmission. Vaccinated children or immunized healthy adults can carry high numbers of Bordetella Pertussis colonies. Still, experts and politicians are arguing for compulsory DTaP vaccination to prevent transmission. Vaccination ad campaigns to boost childhood immunizations are back.


Countries may use DTaP vaccines with different formulations, detoxification methods, and doses, and they may differ in schemes for the childhood immunization programs which may influence immunogenicity and side effects. For example, a detoxified Pertussis Toxin vaccine has been used for more than fifteen years by Denmark and Sweden in preventing whooping cough, resulting in low child mortality. Both countries were cautious early in the pandemic to vaccinate healthy children with Covid-19 mRNA vaccines and have low to no excess deaths in the young age group. 


The sequence of injections of various vaccines or vaccines given on one day may have a different influence on healthy children as compared to children with a medical condition. Local and demographic factors may influence safety and efficacy patterns, as well as decision-making and nuanced understanding of how the interventions influence the body’s homeostasis.


A risk for an impaired immune system and a gut dysbiosis is the exacerbation of toxin producing opportunistic pathogenic bacteria like Bordetella Pertussis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Especially babies are at the highest risk for serious disease and sudden death. 


Several pathogenic viruses, including adenovirus, rhinovirus, and influenza have been detected in the airways of patients and infants with confirmed pertussis. Pertussis toxin may suppress the early innate host response needed to control virus infection. Intact and balanced gut microbiota inhibits the colonization of Bordetella Pertussis in the lungs. 


There is much to be learned from a traditional way of life with fewer chemical therapeutic interventions. Amish children seem to be less vulnerable to infections and allergies.

Better strategies or therapeutics need to be developed to alleviate diseases in children.


Stop the Mania, Let the Children Play

Without a change in policy, a decline in skyrocketing sickness in the children 0-14 years and a turn to fewer deaths are not expected.

 

It is time for reflection for anyone following or spreading news outlets and advertisements, or else we will suffer another mania and era of politicised science driven by the same mistakes that already dramatically harmed us. 


Japan has learned and has turned to saving children’s health, protecting bodily autonomy, and establishing a flourishing economy.


The strategy of forever adding chemical interventions is not without risks. It is not always known if a child is immunocompromised with the risk for a wrong intervention at the wrong time that could develop into a severe disease or become fatal. Nuances, dialogue, and shared decision-making may be a way to restore trust. 


The choice for humanity is to support pregnant women and children with affordable, high-quality, traditional, and nutritious food and let children play.


Author: dr. Carla Peeters

First published at Brownstone Institute

The (Lack of) Health in Young Women

By Carla Peeters • March 13, 2025
Many countries now face a growing problem with an aging population and declining childbirths. Too many infants still die unnecessarily before the age of five years. Countries increasingly struggle to keep their economies stable. While Public Health experts communicate to focus on healthier future generations, declining health in young females is ignored. The healthiest generation with a flourishing economy is achieved by a holistic strategy addressing Young Women’s Health as a Public Health priority. The Healthiest Generation of the World in 2040 A Federation of Organizations involved in Public Health in the Netherlands has the ambition to reach the healthiest generation of the world in 2040 . Health is aimed at all levels; mental, social, and physical. To achieve this goal, the Netherlands needs the healthiest young females of the world. In contrast, data analysis from the Netherlands shows the opposite; the health of young women is declining fast. In other Western countries, it won’t be much better. The health of young women has worsened worldwide; it is time to face reality. Women’s bodily functioning and metabolism differ from men and need specific female-adapted health support. While many health problems in a population could be prevented when young females are supported for optimal health prior to pregnancy, this is not a priority of Public Health Agencies. Good health for the next generation starts with a strong and resilient immune system before pregnancy and during the first 1,000 days around pregnancy, birth, and postpartum breastfeeding. Childbirth and children’s health are declining; the number of women dying during pregnancy (within 42 days after labor) is increasing, as well as the number of abortions. Without change, these conflicting trends may develop into a disaster touching all levels of society. The Public Health Future Outlook of the Netherlands predicts that close to 12 million people will have a chronic condition by 2050. Young Women’s Health Is Declining Around half of the young people aged 6-25 years in the Netherlands experience mental health problems. Moreover, 47% of the people aged 15-44 years are diagnosed with at least one chronic disease, with young women more often diagnosed than men. When diagnosed with a chronic disease, people work less, experience more sick leaves, and are less productive. Unfortunately, not being able to work contributes to poorer health and income. An even larger percentage of young people (79%) still suffer from a negative impact of the pandemic, with women and lower-educated individuals hit hardest and experiencing mental problems like emotional exhaustion, stress, and hyperactivity. A recent study published in PNAS showed a faster aging of the brains of young females as compared to young males, which might be related to chronic stress exposure. Students experience more stress than before due to worries about inflation and the high costs of living. Within the EU, the Netherlands has grown into the most expensive country to live in. Unfortunately, there is much more that is troubling the health of young females. Increased Drug Use and a Dangerous Beauty Myth During the pandemic, the use of antidepressants increased by 16% for those aged 16-24 years and for children. Women are prescribed antidepressants earlier and take them twice as much as men. While the positive effects of SSRI have been criticized repeatedly and women report more side effects than men, these medicines are still frequently prescribed by medical doctors. One in four young people in the Netherlands use Ritalin or Concerta ( methylphenidate ) without a medical prescription to improve concentration and study results. Most people are unaware of the potential risks, like sudden death, that are well-known as a potential side effect. Research has shown that 5.5-22.5% of the young have used ADHD medication without a doctor’s prescription. Furthermore, in mid-2023, a worrisome increase in NSAID like paracetamol (Tylenol or Acetaminophen) and ibuprofen use was observed, especially in young girls, increasing the risk for poisoning. The use of antibiotics like amoxicillin increased for children 0-10 years (55%) and for those aged 11-20 years with 50%. As 2023 was the first year after the pandemic with all festivals open to the public, an increased use of party drugs (like ecstasy ) among those aged 16-35 years was noticed with regularly registered symptoms of poisoning. The online and interconnected world exposes the risk of cyberbullying among young people. Ironically, many are feeling lonelier than ever before and are struggling with their weight and self-confidence, setting them up for poor health as adults. The beauty myth is another danger. During the years 2019-2022, the use of fillers increased by 80%, and the use of Botox doubled among young women. Exposure to microplastics, nanoplastics, and nanoparticles has increased. Furthermore, the concentration of PFAS/PFOA in Dutch drinking water is found to be above the norm and may decrease the fertility of both women and men. On the other hand, the use of oral hormonal contraceptives by young girls diminished in the Netherlands, with only a slight increase in the use of an intrauterine hormonal device. Recent studies showed that there is an increased risk, although small, of myocardial infarction or stroke when using hormonal contraceptives. The use of an intrauterine device with levonorgestrel did not show the risk. Given the extensive and ongoing reliance of millions of young women on these drugs, ensuring their safety remains a critical responsibility of the medical community. As well as medical doctors informing young women of potential harm based on the latest scientific literature by informed consent. Over the past 4 years, girls and young women have been exposed to repeated HPV vaccinations and Covid-19 mRNA vaccines within a short period of time, for both of which side effects in women have been reported to be more frequent and severe. Possible interactions and/or interference with these vaccines and long-term effects on the immune system and microbiome have not been investigated beforehand. Neither was knowledge available when it started in 2021 on the possible risks and short- and long-term effects when four vaccines before 22 weeks of pregnancy were introduced. Nutritious Food Not Affordable for Many The importance of daily consumption, as recommended by the WHO, of 400 grams of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, milk products, and eggs for a healthy life and joyful social and working life is unknown by many young people. For most of them, it has become unaffordable . (Ultra)processed foods are the cheapest satisfying foods with a well-designed composition of low-cost ingredients, sugar, fat, and salt that change the microbiome. Home, school, commercials, social media, influencers, mobile phones, and retail environments are driving obesity and being overweight in children and adolescents, often concurrent with undernutrition and anemia. A growing body of evidence shows that the billions of microorganisms present in our body are intimately involved in weight gain and loss and immune training and modulation, as well as overall host homeostasis. Around 33% of the population in the Netherlands does not consume fruit and vegetables daily. As of 2024, 7.1% of Dutch children live in poverty, and this number is still growing . More children might be undernourished, which is associated with impaired growth, neurodevelopment, and increased infectious morbidity and mortality. To reverse the problem of malnutrition, the delivery of free meals has recently started at primary schools. Unfortunately, this does not make a difference for the children at secondary schools. While sending funding to developing countries to prevent malnutrition, a similar problem appears in front of our eyes in the Netherlands. The young generation predominantly eats more plant-based foods, as it would improve climate change. Almost 30% of young women prefer to shop for vegetarian food, and 0.7% of the Dutch population is vegan. In addition, the EU introduced novel food products such as insects and worms, lab-grown meat, and Bovaer for cows to reduce methane production, which might affect the human immune system. Almost one in five adolescents vape. Long-term effects are yet unknown. In the Netherlands, vapes with synthetic liquids that taste like cola, vanilla, apricot, etc., have now been forbidden . Although smoking is declining in adults, young women more frequently smoke than boys but drink less alcohol. All internal and external environmental factors may contribute to weakening or strengthening the resilience of the immune system and may therefore influence the period of pregnancy, labor, nursing, and the health of mother and child for future generations. Pregnancy Is Regulated by a Unique Complexity of the Immune System Pregnancy is a unique immunological state. The changes of the immune system in the three stages of pregnancy (very early, mid, and late stage) are meticulously timed. In the very early stage, the immune system adjusts to prevent her body from rejecting the fetus while at the same time still being strong enough to keep out foreign pathogens. In the late stage, the body is preparing for labor, which is driven by an inflammatory response. A full-term pregnancy will follow an immunological clock . Changes in this immune profile could help to predict and possibly prevent preterm labor. Studies show that pathologically-driven inflammation might trigger pre-term birth (before 37 weeks). In the Netherlands, 14.8% of the children born are preterm with 9.7% low birth weight for the duration of the pregnancy (Big2). Interestingly, in the case of a preterm child labor, the inflammatory reaction is more heated as compared to a full-term child labor. Preterm birth is an important indicator of a risk for early death, chronic and infectious diseases, sepsis, stunting, and delayed neurological and brain development. This may manifest throughout one’s lifespan. Very early birth and extreme early birth occur in only 1.5% of the Dutch baby population and are responsible for 50% of the deaths of newborn babies. The number of abortions jumped in two years in 2023 to 39,000, with most by women aged 25-34 years of age. Abortion in the Netherlands is allowed until 24 weeks of pregnancy. The number of childbirths has declined dramatically to 167,504 in 2022. That is 1.49 children per woman, with a mean age of 30.3 years. The number of women breast-feeding is also decreasing. At 6 months, women feeding breast milk lowered from 60% to hardly 30% of the young mothers. Each year, around 661 babies in the Netherlands die. Mothers dying within 42 days after labor are around 11 persons a year with an additional 5 women dying by suicide each year, and not counting women who died from cancer. Over the past years, mothers’ deaths have been increasing worldwide, with the leading cause being heart diseases and blood clots. Pregnant women with stress , depression , or anxiety , as well as obese women with gut inflammation and chronic disease, have altered immune systems and, as a consequence of malnutrition, have an altered microbiome. A weakened immune system suggests an increased risk for preeclampsia, high blood pressure, HELLP syndrome, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, and/or low birth weight. ‘Gut Feeling’ a Turmoil for Healthy Future Generations The gut presents 70-80% of the immune cells in the human body. In the mucosal layer of the intestine, neuronal cells, endocrine cells, and immune cells cooperate to manage its metabolism and bodily functioning. Recent studies in mice showed villi of the mucosal layer expanding twice its volume during pregnancy and breastfeeding, slowing food passage, improving digestion for an optimal use of available nutrition. The intestinal mucosal layer is strongly connected to various stages of pregnancy with altered gut microbiota, metabolites, and cytokines. These bioactive metabolites modulate and change the ‘innate’ and ‘adaptive’ immune system. Together, the microbial composition and the mucosal layer of the intestine determine long-term health. Mothers’ intestines influence the biodiversity of the microbiome and the resilience of the immune system, which is transmitted to the baby during pregnancy, labor, and nursing. Earlier periods in life facing hunger, extreme stress, or severe diseases may influence health during pregnancy and may transmit to the baby throughout one’s lifespan and even with intergenerational effects. Specific nutrients may have positive effects during pregnancy, labor, and nursing. Sufficient vitamin D , present in sunlight, nutrition (fish, milk products), or supplements, is a prerequisite during this precious time in life for both mother and child. For young women who wish to become pregnant, it is important to learn how to balance the immune system and the microbiome. The immune system of young women could be the most important regulator of the healthiest generations and a population’s workability and income. Author: dr. Carla Peeters First published at Brownstone Institute

The Alarming Increase in Female Healthcare Worker Suicide

By Carla Peeters • March 13, 2025
The increasing number of suicides and fatal overdoses of women healthcare workers has accompanied rising sickness, disability, and women leaving the sector. The total social and economic costs of a workforce in despair are yet unknown. A shortfall of 10 million healthcare workforce (of whom 80-90% is female) is projected by the WHO for 2030 and is of critical concern. When the health of those who look out for people’s health is at risk, the whole population and economy are at risk. This is an emergency of unprecedented scale that needs attention at the highest Public Health level. Humanity and nutrition instead of medicalization as a coping strategy urgently needs to return in the healthcare sector. Alarming Warnings by Healthcare Workers in Despair Recent studies noticed death by suicide and the risk for fatal drug overdose among women in healthcare is much higher as compared with the general population (1-10). It is not only female physicians, but the risk is even higher for nurses and other healthcare workers, especially for those with the lowest-paid jobs and heaviest mental and physical workload who have been most stretched to the limits (7). Worldwide over the last several years thousands of healthcare workers have died by suicide or fatal overdose leaving family, friends, and the workplace in shock and grief. Suicide and self-harm have substantial social and economic costs (12). One death by suicide was calculated in the UK to cost the economy an average of 1.46 million pounds (13). In 2022 more than 360 nurses attempted suicide, and 72 medical professionals took their own lives in 2020 in the UK as data from the Office of National Statistics indicate. Analysis of mortality data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2007 to 2018 identified 2,374 suicides among nurses, 857 among doctors, and 156,141 in the general population. However, the number of death by suicide or fatal overdose is grossly underreported. The WHO reports that over 50% of suicides happen under the age of 50 years (14). To address this avoidable burden, a better understanding of effective and non-effective strategies is paramount. Even before the Covid pandemic started women in healthcare reported substantial workplace stressors (9-11, 15-16). The past four years have put additional strain on women’s health. This is especially true for those women working as front-liners and first responders in highly demanding stressful situations. Increased complexity of care, understaffing, long working hours, additional bureaucratic tasks, moral injury, diminished autonomy, lack of decision-making ability, and low-paid jobs take a burden on their health. Moreover, women routinely face tougher challenges at work and at home such as institutionalized barriers to career advancement as well as additional pressure for domestic labor by frequently being a caregiver for children and/or parents (9). In all parts of the world healthcare workers are at high risk for violence with 8-38% suffering some sort of violence form in their careers. In 2023 for the first time in history, 75,000 healthcare workers in the US went on strike (17). Women are more frequently diagnosed with burnout, major depression, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, ME/CFS, and Long Covid. Long Covid is more prevalent in healthcare workers (11,18-20). These diagnoses of chronic illnesses have many symptoms in common that are known to exacerbate the risk for suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicidal completion beyond occupation and established risk factors such as socioeconomic status and education (7-8,20-24). An Epidemic of Emotional Trauma and Distress Healthcare workers are trying to hide their symptoms by pushing themselves to work despite extreme pain, fatigue, memory inconsistency, exhaustion, and grief of not being able to deliver the quality of care patients need. Being overstressed and with long-term understaffing, healthcare workers hardly take time to eat a nutritious meal. Many have become undernourished, and sleep-deprived. Potential disparities in help-seeking and healthcare access might manifest in non-medical use of prescription drugs among some healthcare workers, which has implications for workers’ safety and well-being (25). Many of the medicines used by healthcare workers might be unprescribed and unnoticed (1-8, 23). Toxic Cocktails: A Danger for Women’s Health Suicides among the healthcare workforce often take place at work. The most frequently used method of suicide is overdose or poisoning (1-8). New studies suggest that most overdoses are caused by psychiatric drugs and multiple medications in their system. Co-administration of antidepressants and opioids deliberate or unplanned is common. Women are more likely to be prescribed and take medication like antidepressants and birth control pills and seem to be more sensitive and experience drug side effects than men. Pharmacokinetic interactions may increase the concentrations and severity of side effects of antidepressants (27-28). Studies demonstrate potential side effects of psychiatric drugs and opioids as insomnia, burnout, fatigue, anxiety, pain, and suicidal thoughts (21-25). The risk of opioid-involved overdose death was nearly twice as high experienced by healthcare support workers such as nursing home workers and home health aides as compared to other healthcare workers in the sector (7). The interaction and side effects of the use of multiple medicines and concentrations are mostly unknown. This is especially true for women as most drugs have been poorly studied in women. Some medicine might even have more disastrous side effects than any benefit as seems to be the case for psychotropic medicine (26). Moreover, interactions of psychotropic drugs with immunosuppressive capabilities and Covid-19 mRNA vaccines have been reported (17). Furthermore, pandemic measures that have been mandated for healthcare workers including long-term wearing of medical facemasks (with potential inhalation of toxins) and repeated Covid-19 vaccinations with women reporting more side effects than men (30-31) might have exacerbated potential risks. Recent publications repeatedly reported a global burden of absenteeism related to Covid-19 vaccine side effects which could negatively impact the strained healthcare system and jeopardize patient care (32-33). Medicalization as a Coping Strategy During the pandemic, prescription of antidepressants and use of other over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen (paracetamol) which is often advised to temper vaccine side effects, has grown substantially. Although harmless in low doses, acetaminophen has direct hepatotoxic effects when taken in overdose or a wrong combination and may cause acute liver failure. Accidental or unintentional overdose usually occurs in patients who have been fasting, or are critically ill with a concurrent illness, alcoholism, malnutrition, or have preexisting chronic liver disease (34). Acetominophen (single or combination products) is one of the most used medications in the United States with 25 billion tablets sold in 2016. It is expected that treatment of trauma ailments and increase in chronic illness will fuel the market sales from $9.8 billion in 2022 to $15.2 billion in 2033. However, after a report showed 8,700 poisonings with high rates of hospitalization and liver injury in 2019-2020 with a sharp rise among females, the Australian medicine regulator is considering restrictions on who can buy paracetamol (35). In Sweden, the sale of acetaminophen in supermarkets was banned in 2015 after they experienced an overdose hike. Increased use of over-the-counter and controlled drugs may fuel a rise in acute liver failure. Awareness of potential unintentional irreversible harm is highly needed among healthcare workers and the public, as many new drugs and vaccines have been introduced since the pandemic. Drug Theft and Diversion Job stress and occupational burnout have been associated with increased risk for opioid use disorder which in turn can increase risk for overdose. Those who prescribe or administer medication have ready access to opioids and other controlled prescription drugs. Drug theft and diversion of controlled drugs in hospitals and nursing homes appear to have accelerated worldwide, bringing healthcare workers and patients at risk (36-38). Taking prescription medicine at work, almost 100 healthcare workers have been fired in The Netherlands. Moreover, the problems with understaffing in the Dutch healthcare sector have introduced the use of falsified certificates with people from illegal drug networks entering healthcare organizations pushing the system to more errors and deficits (39). Increasing stress at work and too many night shifts in a row have contributed to a 70% increase in medicine thefts. Almost 50% of calming and sleeping pills were not delivered to patients putting them at risk for suboptimal treatment or contaminations and errors (40). Drug use may gradually become an attractive and convenient coping mechanism. Although professionals often think knowledge of the medicine may control their use, dependence may slowly develop. Many impaired healthcare workers feel guilt and despair and suffer from physical and mental problems and may be indifferent to the risk of overdose (38) A Return to Humanity in Healthcare The problem of the rise in sudden (un)intended death of healthcare workers comes against the background of increasing long-term sick leaves, permanent disabilities, and hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers leaving the sector, choosing for less stressful and better-paid jobs. This is an unprecedented sign by dedicated women for no longer willing to work in a toxic and overstressed environment with underpaid complex tasks for often severely ill patients. The healthcare system is facing increased clinical error rates and liability exposures while adversely impacting patient satisfaction and organizational reputation. This may develop into a catastrophe when Public Health Officials do not take responsibility for a highly needed change ensuring that the workforce has the tools and resources needed to turn the wheel. Hard times may turn positive when CEOs and insurance companies start to embrace the idea that quality of care and reputation starts with a healthy, fair-paid workforce, gender equity, and a working environment choosing for humanity and good nutrition. A vital well-nourished empowered healthcare workforce that is occupied to guide people to health and work will be a win for all.
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