Health census to be carried out in 2018

Next year, 11,000 Belgians will be asked questions about their lifestyles and diet and 1,100 will go through a medical examination as part of a major study to determine the general health of the nation.

The last such health census took place in 2013 and included only information provided by participants. This time, at the request of health minister Maggie De Block, blood will be drawn from 10% of the participants and put through a battery of tests.

“We will also measure their height and weight, take their measurements and assess their strength,” said Johan Vanderheyden of the Scientific Institute for Public Health. “We will take their blood pressure and a blood sample.”

De Block plans to use the new information to set priorities for public health policy.