Netherlands to establish national long COVID research and innovation center

A new study has found that people who take PrEP — a preventive HIV medication — on a daily basis are seven times less likely to contract HIV than those who only take it around the time of sexual activity. PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is an antiretroviral drug prescribed to HIV-negative individuals at higher risk of infection. The research highlights a significant effectiveness gap between the two dosing strategies, known as daily PrEP and on-demand or event-driven PrEP. On-demand use involves taking doses before and after sex, a method that had been considered a viable alternative for some users. The findings carry particular relevance for public health initiatives across the Caribbean, including Curaçao, where HIV prevention programs promote PrEP as a key tool. Health officials and advocates may use this data to update guidance and encourage consistent daily adherence among users. The study underscores that adherence consistency is critical to maximizing the drug's protective benefits.

Curaçao is facing a worsening public health crisis as residents become increasingly sedentary, according to reporting by Giselle Mc William in Extra Curaçao. The Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) has reported a consistent 10 percent annual increase in the number of patients seeking medical care, signaling a growing burden on the island's healthcare system. Health advocates are pointing to declining levels of physical activity among the general population as a key contributing factor. Promoting sports and movement within neighborhoods — at the community or bario level — is being highlighted as a practical intervention to reverse these trends. The situation underscores a broader concern about lifestyle-related health conditions that are placing mounting pressure on medical infrastructure in Willemstad. Without meaningful changes in daily physical habits, officials and health workers warn that the upward trend in patient numbers is likely to continue.

The UPAH (Union di Penshonado pa Adelanto i Hustisia), a Curaçao-based pensioners' union, has completed its post-election board restructuring following a general membership meeting and elections held on August 15. After the vote, the newly elected board convened to distribute roles and responsibilities among its members in accordance with the organization's statutes. One notable appointment confirmed is Thielman, who was named second secretary of the board. The reorganization reflects the union's formal governance process, ensuring leadership positions are filled transparently after each electoral cycle. UPAH advocates for the advancement and justice of pensioners on the island, making its leadership structure significant to a vulnerable segment of Curaçao's population.