Global Health

Discover weekly content about how researchers and other players in Germany are contributing to improved health around the world with their international and interdisciplinary work.

By activating the video, you agree to the transfer of your data (including IP address, date, time, website) to Google Ireland Limited for the purpose of playing the video. You can deactivate the video at any time by clicking again. More information can be found here.

Global Health – research and innovation to tackle global challenges

They are simply part of human existence: illnesses and pandemics have accompanied humankind for thousands of years. They have changed societies time and time again. Each year, millions of people around the world suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, mental health issues, cancer or infections caused by viruses like coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Health is a human right

Globalisation, climate change and migration are three key factors that have a growing impact on global health. Without extensive global health protection there can be no positive social, political and economic development. Health therefore needs to be viewed from a global perspective, promoting and strengthening joint worldwide activities. Health is a central human right.

Germany is investing in global health research

The German government firmly believes that global challenges can only be resolved jointly and is committed to international and interdisciplinary collaboration in the area of global health. Research and innovation play an important role in this context. From 2016 to 2020, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research made nearly 510 million euros in funding available for research on global health research. The main research issues in Germany are the human-animal-environment interface, antimicrobial resistances, vaccine research, food security, and neglected and poverty-related tropical diseases.

In our Global Health spotlight, you will discover how researchers and other players in Germany are contributing to improved health around the world with their international and interdisciplinary work.

Innovations to fight the pandemic

The World Health Organization’s Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence has begun its work in Berlin. Its job is to generate important impetus and play a coordinating role in the event of future pandemics. The first projects being launched by the Hub could already raise the early detection of and fight against pandemics to a new level. 

A scientist is looking through a microscope.

Valuable funding: Interview with Professor Schlüter & Dr Rezasoltani

By activating the video, you agree to the transfer of your data (including IP address, date, time, website) to Google Ireland Limited for the purpose of playing the video. You can deactivate the video at any time by clicking again. More information can be found here.

Collaborating for the sake of human and animal health

Animal health and various environmental factors have a bearing on human health. The One Health approach takes all the different aspects into consideration and explores connections between them. A One Health centre of international standing is now being established in Greifswald.

A scientist is holding a planet in their hands.

What makes Germany a good place for global health research? Interview with Dr Hayley McNamara

By activating the video, you agree to the transfer of your data (including IP address, date, time, website) to Google Ireland Limited for the purpose of playing the video. You can deactivate the video at any time by clicking again. More information can be found here.

Funding opportunities in global health research

By activating the video, you agree to the transfer of your data (including IP address, date, time, website) to Google Ireland Limited for the purpose of playing the video. You can deactivate the video at any time by clicking again. More information can be found here.

Tracking infections digitally

Together with African researchers, a team led by Professor Gerard Krause from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig has developed an IT system that allows epidemics to be identified at an early stage and activities to contain them managed.

Three researchers are conversing in a lab.

Read more about projects and the people working in the field of global health: