This page provides you with the latest news from the field of public health. Both national and international news items are collected here. For more detailed information on each news item, simply click on the title.
Can't find the latest news from the field of public health on this page? No problem, feel free to forward any current news items to us by email.

Open letter from the DGPH, DGMS, and DGSMP in support of maintaining health promotion at the WHO

As part of the restructuring of the WHO, there is uncertainty about the future role of the Department of Health Promotion. Although there have recently been increasing indications that it will continue to have a clear structural presence, the DGPH, DGMS, and DGSMP have joined many international voices in calling on the Director-General of the WHO to maintain and strengthen health promotion at the WHO.

60th DGSMP Annual Conference: How can participation be achieved in times of social transformation?

From September 17 to 19, 2025, the German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP) invites you to its 60th Annual Conference in Berlin. The venue is the Campus Virchow-Klinikum of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Forum 3, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin).
The focus will be on the topic of “participation and co-creation” – a highly topical approach that highlights new ways of collaboration between science, practice, politics, and civil society. The conference will address pressing questions: How can research and care be made more inclusive? How can participation be achieved – especially for people with marginalized experiences?
Four keynote speeches will shed light on the conference theme from different perspectives:
Ilona Kickbusch (Sept. 17): The internationally renowned global health expert and long-time WHO director will open the conference with insights on the role of public health in international transformation processes.
Anne MacFarlane (Sept. 18): Creating participatory spaces for meaningful partnerships with refugees and migrants
Sebastian von Peter & Ute Krämer (Sept. 18): Collaborative and survivor research in the field of mental health
Annika Frahsa (Sept. 19): Thinking beyond participation: Methodological ideas for transformative health research

Private Health Insurance Association (PKV) presents position paper on prevention

The Private Health Insurance Association (PKV) has published a position paper in July setting out its views on prevention and the results of the Prevention Act after 10 years. It contains some thought-provoking suggestions.

Save the date: DGPH General Meeting and Annual Conference on February 26 & 27, 2026

On February 26 and 27, 2026, the DGPH General Meeting and Annual Conference will take place at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. In view of the increasing risk of emergencies, crises, and disasters and their potential impact on public health, we will discuss the role of public health in preparing for, responding to, and coping with such exceptional situations under the theme of “Public Health in Crises and Disasters.”

Call for submissions for the Climate Change and Health Science Award – Joint award from the five professional associations DGPH, GMDS, DGSMP, DGMS, and DGEpi

With this annual award, the professional associations aim to recognize research on the topic of climate change and health, thereby acknowledging the growing importance of this issue in the context of the associations' activities. Master's theses, dissertations, and scientific publications that contribute in a special way to new insights into climate change and health and/or to methodological progress in this field are eligible for the award. The research can be global or regional in scope. The prize is endowed with €500. The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2025.