Generation and evaluation of high-quality evidence to improve population-level prevention
The Chair of Epidemiology conducts research in epidemiology, biostatistics, and health services research, with additional focus on women's health, global cancer, and global health. A central objective is the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. To this end, we conduct randomised intervention trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies.
A further methodological focus lies in the analysis of large datasets, particularly population-based and clinical cancer registry data, as well as other secondary data from healthcare and official statistics. For critical evaluation of scientific evidence, we employ systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, and pooled re-analyses.
Our teaching covers both fundamental and advanced topics in epidemiology and biostatistics, with a strong emphasis on modern epidemiological and statistical methods.
Current Projects
Current research at the Chair of Epidemiology includes the following projects:
The project Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare for patients with chronic diseases (ChroVID) examines how the pandemic has affected the incidence of diabetes, coronary heart disease, and cancer, as well as the provision of care for affected populations in Bavaria.
Methodological research is advanced through the project Machine learning methods for conditional logistic regression (ML-CLR), which develops and applies novel machine learning methods for analysing matched case-control studies and discrete choice data.
The project HPV vaccination in Bavaria: trends, determinants and effects on precancerous lesions, cervical cancer, and genital warts (BAY-HPV) provides a comprehensive evaluation of HPV vaccination uptake and its impact on disease outcomes.
TRACE-D (Tracking real-world adherence in cervical screening in Germany) investigates how abnormal screening results are managed in routine care, using nationwide programme data and other secondary data. Adherence to follow-up recommendations and associated diagnostic and histological outcomes are analysed across age groups and regions.
The multicentre analysis of treatment differences in gynaecological cancers (COMPACT) systematically evaluates variations in clinical care across Germany by tumour stage, age, and region, including temporal trends and differences in treatment decision-making.
OLDI is a project that uses systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses on HPV epidemiology in older women to synthesise evidence on HPV prevalence, screening participation, and cervical cancer incidence among women aged 50 years and older worldwide.
In the HelmSys project, a systematic literature review is conducted to examine the impact of helminth infections on vaccine outcomes in humans. The main objectives are to investigate how helminth infections influence vaccine immunogenicity, efficacy, and effectiveness in children and adults. Furthermore, the modifying effects of anti-helminthic treatment are evaluated.
The case-control study on cancer screening participation and cytology quality, TeQaZ, examines determinants of screening participation and diagnostic performance and assesses additional risk factors by comparing cases and controls.
The population-based randomised cohort study on cervical cancer screening, MARZY, evaluates strategies to increase participation in screening programs and investigates HPV prevalence and cytological changes among women in Germany.
Further details on ongoing and completed projects are available under Research Projects.