DEN HAAG – The Dutch government has acknowledged, based on new scientific research, that the legacy of slavery continues to affect the mental and physical health of descendants of enslaved people, as well as the functioning of the healthcare system itself. As a result, the cabinet will launch a think tank in March 2026 to prepare concrete measures, while leaving final policy decisions to a future government.
This follows the study “Health Effects of Slavery,” conducted by the University of Amsterdam and submitted to the Tweede Kamer by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport.
According to the research, the legacy of slavery continues to influence the health of descendants of enslaved people both directly and indirectly, and also affects the healthcare sector more broadly. These effects manifest in various ways, including transgenerational trauma, chronic stress and a lack of trust in the healthcare system. The study also points to the ongoing social and societal conditions in which many descendants still find themselves, contributing to persistent health disparities.
The Ministry of Health aims to use the research to make the impact of the slavery past within the fields of healthcare and social welfare more visible and to address it more effectively. The researchers recommend investing in further scientific research, increasing awareness within the healthcare sector and actively combating racism and discrimination in healthcare. They also highlight a significant lack of knowledge in the Netherlands regarding the relationship between the slavery past and present-day health inequalities.
As a next step, a think tank will be established in March 2026, bringing together descendants of enslaved people and other experts. This group will have three years to develop concrete policy interventions aimed at reducing the ongoing impact of the slavery past on health and well-being and at promoting equality within the healthcare system. The proposals may build on the recommendations of the study but are not limited to them.
The minister has indicated that the further policy follow-up of the research will be left to a new cabinet. With this approach, the current government limits itself to presenting the research findings and initiating the process that is intended to lead to concrete measures in the future.