The Department of Public Health Nursing aims to further develop the role of nursing as a health profession in the context of public health. Its contribution to prevention and to maintaining, restoring and promoting the health of the population or selected population groups should also be made more visible and effective in Germany.

In the specialist area, we deal with the role and mission of nursing care, among other things

• in the public health service, in the community and in community-based health care (Community Health Nursing),
• in the health promotion and health maintenance of various target groups in public schools (School Health Nursing),
• in preparing for, responding to and coping with crises, emergencies and disasters (Disaster Nursing),
• in the health care of refugees (Refugee Health Nursing) and in other public health areas (e.g. immunization, infection prevention, environmental health).

Goals of the department

• Promotion of practice development and professionalization in the various fields of Public Health Nursing / Community Health Nursing
• Supporting the teaching of public health nursing / community health nursing issues in health and nursing science degree programs
• Stimulation of joint research activities on issues and problems of Public Health Nursing / Community Health Nursing
• Active and expert participation in public discourse relevant to public health nursing / community health nursing
• Expansion of networking on public health nursing / community health nursing within Germany and with international partners

Advocacy for socially and health-disadvantaged population groups at all levels of society, the promotion of health literacy, education and participation as well as the commitment to an inclusive, user-centered and results-oriented health and care system are further key concerns.

First activities

• Supporting the implementation of the political declarations of intent to introduce community health nursing in the German health and care system
• Promoting the sustainable implementation and research-based further development of school health nursing in Germany
• Supporting measures to promote disaster resilience, particularly in long-term care facilities

Interested members of the DGPH are cordially invited to suggest further ideas, wishes and focal points and to actively contribute to the department.