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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Many On-Site Events on Local Health Authority Day on 19 March 2025
The presentation of a Heat Action Plan, a lecture on the impact of climate change on communicable diseases, the launch of a heat portal, a traveling exhibition on the health-related connections between climate and nutrition, the use of a heat warning app – these are just some examples of how local health authorities are implementing this year’s motto for the Local Health Authority Day: “Climate Change and Health”, by offering events to the public.
“Climate change affects health in many ways, such as increased heat-related deaths, new and more frequent infectious diseases, a higher allergy burden, growing antimicrobial resistance, and increasing numbers of skin cancer due to higher UV exposure,” says Prof. Dr. Lars Schaade, President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Furthermore, the consequences of climate change can exacerbate social inequalities in people’s health. “Our health and well-being will more and more depend on how we tackle the challenges of climate change. This is especially true for those who lack the resources to protect themselves. We must set the course now – because climate protection is health protection,” emphasizes Dr. Johannes Nießen, Acting Director of the Federal Institute for Public Health (Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit, BIÖG).
“Climate change will be a long-term concern for the Public Health Service, as its consequences present challenges for fundamental function in public health. Both behavioral and structural prevention methods are needed and should be integrated across all policy areas,” states a joint brochure (in German) from the Robert Koch Institute and the Federal Institute for Public Health. The brochure is primarily aimed at employees in the Public Health Service, summarizing insights from a comprehensive scientific report and highlighting concrete action options. This report, compiled by more than 90 authors from over 30 research institutes and authorities, was led by the Robert Koch Institute and published in 2023 in the “Journal of Health Monitoring”. The report is also available in English.
As of July 1, 2024, the Federal Climate Adaptation Act has come into force in Germany, providing a legal framework for federal states to develop their own climate adaptation strategies and ensuring that municipalities establish climate adaptation concepts. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes climate change as “a fundamental threat to human health” (WHO, 2021) and considers the Paris Agreement (2015) to be the most important public health agreement in the 21st century. The International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) also sees climate change as one of the greatest global challenges in public health.
In recent years, the Robert Koch Institute has strengthened its work on climate change and health by establishing a Climate Change and Health Office, which coordinates scientific research in this area and promotes knowledge transfer to the Public Health Service, health policy, and other stakeholders. The Federal Institute for Public Health provides information for the public and materials for municipalities on allergies and protection against heat and UV radiation on its website “Klima-Mensch-Gesundheit”.
In addition to providing insight into the work of local health authorities in times of climate change, the Local Health Authority Day in Germany offers many on-site activities, including vision tests, blood pressure measurements, parental counseling, information on mental health, vaccination advice, testing of brought-in drinking water, or trying out impairment goggles (see e.g. the Robert Koch Institute's overview page for more details).
The local health authority is a central pillar in protecting the health of the population. On 19 March 2019, the Robert Koch Institute has proclaimed the Local Health Authority Day for the first time to honor the work of local health authorities and draw attention to their importance. 19 March 1745 marks the birthday of Johann Peter Frank, a physician and social medicine pioneer regarded as the founder of the public health service.
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Published by
Robert Koch Institute
Nordufer 20
D-13353 Berlin
www.rki.de/en
Press office
Susanne Glasmacher (Spokeswoman)
Marieke Degen (Deputy spokeswoman)
Heidi Golisch
Claudia Paape
Judith Petschelt
Contact
Tel.: 030-18754-2239, -2562 and -2286
E-mail: presse@rki.de
The Robert Koch Institute is a federal institute within the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Health
https://www.rki.de/local-health-authority-day
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten
Ernährung / Gesundheit / Pflege, Medizin, Pädagogik / Bildung
überregional
Buntes aus der Wissenschaft, Schule und Wissenschaft
Englisch
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