Congratulations, Ananda!
We congratulate Ananda Stullich on the Poster Award 2024, which was awarded to her by the Department of Health and Sport Sciences of the TUM School of Medicine and Health on December 05, 2024 at the annual poster presentation of the Graduate Center!
Congratulations Ananda!
LinkedIn post - Prevention and health promotion
On September 2, 2024, the annual status conference of the Federal Association for Prevention and Health Promotion (BVPG) took place under the motto "Prevention and Health Promotion: developing and shaping together."
With the participation of the Federal Ministry of Health, represented by Dr. Antje Draheim, Dr. Karin Geffert from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Prof. Dr. Klaus Pfeifer from FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Prof. Dr. Steffi Riedel-Heller from the University Hospital Leipzig AöR, and Dr. Dominik Röding from Hannover Medical School, various perspectives on approaches and possibilities for the (political) design of prevention and health promotion in Germany were discussed.
An article was published in the German Medical Journal (Deutsches Ärzteblatt), summarizing the conference’s conclusion as follows:
"Prevention can promote people's health in various areas of life. The potential of health promotion has not yet been fully utilized. This became clear at the status conference 'Prevention and Health Promotion: developing and shaping together,' of the Federal Association for Prevention and Health Promotion (BVPG), which took place on the occasion of the association’s 70th anniversary. Prevention can have positive effects on human health, for example in the areas of physical activity promotion, climate protection and mental health.”
We would like to thank the Federal Association for Prevention and Health Promotion (BVPG) for the successful and engaging event and can only agree with the article from the German Medical Journal – especially the title “The Potential of Prevention has not yet been fully utilized."
Here is the link to the title: https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/153962/Die-Moeglichkeiten-der-Praevention-sind-lange-nicht-ausgeschoepft?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin
The Social Determinants of Health - Digitalization
The social determinants of health (SDOH) – such as education, income, living conditions, and social networks – play a crucial role in the well-being of each individual. However, in an increasingly digital world, access to health resources is also changing.
On the one hand, digital technologies can help to break down barriers caused by social inequalities. Telemedicine, online health platforms, and mobile apps offer new ways of
making healthcare accessible to everyone. Nevertheless, digitalization also carries the risk of reinforcing existing inequalities. Not everyone has access to the required technologies or the necessary know-how to use digital health services effectively and sustainably.
One of our research projects - PE3PP - focuses on the development, testing, and evaluation of a new digital, app-based psychosocial prevention service. It includes factors such as access to the required technologies and the necessary know-how – keyword: eHealth Literacy – in the analyses. Further information on the research project can be found in the study protocol: https://lnkd.in/djZ7zTVu
Chidambaram et al. (2024) highlight the importance of digitalization for healthcare in their publication on the Digital Determinants of Health (DDOH). They point out challenges and barriers as well as the impact on social inequality. The DDOH are closely intertwined with the social determinants of health (SDH) and should therefore be considered together. You can find the publication here: https://lnkd.in/dGijZdkz
Conclusion: A holistic health strategy must bring together the social determinants and digitalization. This is the only way we can create a fairer and healthier future for everyone and strengthen participation in digital healthcare for all.
International Youth Day 2024
On August 12, 2024, we celebrate the International Youth Day. Young people are the driving force behind innovation, change, and progress. They bring fresh perspectives, relentless energy and a vision for a better future.
In this context, we would like to highlight the outstanding work of the Research Group on Child and Youth Health at our Chair. This group examines important topics such as the (mental) health, well-being, and health behaviors of our youth.
The goal of the working group is to investigate the health and health behaviors of children and adolescents within the context of family, school, and peers. The findings serve as a foundation for (school-based) health promotion measures and support a healthy transition into adulthood.
Health in All Policies
The importance of ‘Health in All Policies’: Social Determinants and the reduction of health inequalities
In the context of the current discussion on the draft bill to strengthen public health, particularly the establishment of the "Federal Institute for Prevention and Education in Medicine (BIPAM)," we would like to emphasize how crucial the 'Health in All Policies' approach is for considering social determinants and promoting public health.
In a world that is increasingly focused on medical interventions, we must not forget how much our social environment influences our health. The social determinants of health encompass a wide range of factors that extend far beyond the healthcare system and deeply impact our daily lives. Here are some key areas that shape our health and how the 'Health in All Policies' approach can help to improve it:
1. Education:
Education is a powerful determinant of health. It not only influences our job and income opportunities, but also our health awareness and behavior. Education policies that consider health aspects can contribute to improving public health in the long term.
2. Income and Social Class: Higher income and a better social status provide access to healthier living conditions and medical services, which has a direct impact on life expectancy and disease risks. Policies that promote income security and fair working conditions are essential elements of the 'Health in All Policies' approach.
3. Work Environment:
A safe and supportive workplace promotes both mental and physical health. Stress and job insecurity, on the other hand, can lead to long-term health problems. Labor market policies that take health into account are therefore crucial.
4. Housing Conditions:
The quality and location of our housing affects our health through factors such as pollution, access to recreational areas, and the availability of healthy food. Urban planning and housing policies that incorporate health aspects are core components of the 'Health in All Policies' approach.
5. Social Integration and Support:
A robust social network can provide protection against mental illness and contribute to overall life satisfaction. Social policies that promote community bonding and social support improve public health.
By integrating and recognizing 'Health in All Policies,' we address the multidimensional influences on our health and reduce health inequalities in society.
A diverse range of interests and research areas
At the Chair of Social Determinants of Health at the Technical University of Munich, we bring together a diverse range of interests and research areas within an interdisciplinary team. We are active not only in the cross-sectional areas of qualitative and quantitative methods but also have three other thematic working groups: the Child and Adolescent Health Research Group, the Prevention and Care Research Group, and the Social Inequality, Diversity, and Health Research Group.
Feel free to visit us. ➡ You can find more information here: https://lnkd.in/ef_D4YVN
New Publication
We are pleased to announce a new Open Access publication by Jana Niemann, with contributions from Matthias Richter!
"YouTube and the implementation and discontinuation of the oral contraceptive pill: A mixed-method content analysis" Link to the Open Access publication: lnkd.in/gkWQV8zA
Two years of the Chair of Social Determinants of Health at the Technical University of Munich!
Since March 1, 2022, the Chair of Social Determinants of Health at TUM has been in existence (below is a brief flashback).
Two years full of research, teaching, university operations, and everything that comes with it! Alongside the (further) development of teaching, diverse research projects have been initiated, the team has grown, and groundwork has been laid for the future!
Within the framework of our various research approaches, identifying the social, political, and economic determinants of health and developing and evaluating strategies to improve health and prevention, we can look back on exciting and insightful times.Thanks to our interdisciplinary approach, we have been able to implement and plan exciting projects with various project partners. We have been able to draw on quantitative and qualitative research methods and deepen them, as well as further establish the interdisciplinary dialogue between social and natural sciences, which has also been firmly anchored at TUM through the founding of the TUM School of Medicine and Health.
The research findings continue to flow directly into our teaching and are taught within various courses in the bachelor's and master's programs.
A heartfelt thank you to our team, the students, the TUM colleagues from research, teaching, and administration, as well as the partners who have accompanied us over the past two years. We look forward to the coming years together!
Flashback: An interview with Matthias Richter from April 4, 2022, in which he talks about the transition to TUM and the beginnings of the chair: https://www.hs.mh.tum.de/mh/news/article/ich-freue-mich-besonders-auf-die-freiheiten-in-der-lehre-interview-mit-prof-dr-matthias-richter-lehrstuhlinhaber-fuer-social-determinants-of-health/
We are excited to announce a new publication!
Our research project "KontextSucht" of the rehapro funding line, which we are conducting in collaboration with the German Pension Insurance Mitteldeutschland, the German Pension Insurance Bund, as well as two clinics (Barbarossa-Klinik Kelbra & MEDIAN Klinik Römhild), presents the study protocol for the accompanying research by the Technical University of Munich.
The project focuses on parents with substance use disorders, both with and without accompanying children, in inpatient rehabilitation. An intervention (KSI) is being developed, tested, and evaluated to address the family-specific challenges faced by these parents in inpatient rehabilitation. The aim is to expand the parents' range of actions through this offering.
The results publications will follow soon.
Feel free to take a look! You can find the OpenAccess publication of the study protocol on BMJ open here: lnkd.in/d4XtHePj
Chair of Social Determinants of Health
This week, we had an inspiring three-day retreat in Raitenhaslach, which was full of knowledge exchange, team building and collaborative evenings. In a relaxed yet productive atmosphere, we not only presented exciting results from our projects but also engaged in intense discussions to develop new ideas and tackle the challenges of our department. Apart from expanding our knowledge, this retreat also strengthened our team culture. We are already looking forward to integrating the new insights into our daily work and continuing to be successful together.
More visibility for research: Open Access at the Technical University of Munich (TUM)
From 2024, TUM will offer its researchers new opportunities to publish their research results in Open Access. For the authors (m/f/d) this means:
Open Access publishing without personal costs
Free advice from the University Library's Open-Access-team
The details:
As mentioned, the publication fees are covered by TUM. The university administration, university library and School have jointly created the financial basis to conclude comprehensive publish-&-read-agreements with scientific publishers and professional societies. This ensures that TUM members have free access to scientific information and that most of their publications can appear in Open Access. This is an important step on the road to open-access-transformation in the academic publishing sector. The declared aim of the university management is to maximize the rate of open access publications at TUM by providing the best possible support to researchers.
The options:
1. Agreements have come into force with following publishers and specialist societies, among others:
· Elsevier, inklusive Cell Press und The Lancet
· Springer Nature Group Nature, inklusive des gesamten Nature-Portfolios
· Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
· Oxford University Press
· ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
· American Institute of Physics (AIP)
· American Chemical Society (ACS)
· Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
· KOALA Mathematik und Informatik
· Open Library Economics
· Taylor & Francis Group
· Sage
· Wiley
2. In addition, TUM.University Press, the university publishing house of TUM, offers you a university-owned alternative for book publications and the publication of Diamond Open Access Journals.
The read access:
As the Read in Publish & Read already reveals, the journal holdings have also benefited from these contracts: TUM members can now read around 150,000 journals online.
The Open Access Support is there to help and advise you: https://www.ub.tum.de/kontakt/open-access
https://www.ub.tum.de/aktuelles/publish-read-open-access-tum
Working group for promotion of young talent of the “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Medizinische Soziologie” (DGMS)
In mid-March, our two colleagues Julia Roick and Laura Hoffmann, in their role as spokespersons for working group for promotion of young talent of the “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Medizinische Soziologie” (DGMS), traveled to the nationwide doctoral colloquium at Jade University in Oldenburg. There, doctoral candidates presented their dissertation topics and gave each other advice on the everyday challenges in the doctoral process.
Many thanks once again to Professor Frauke Koppelin and Professor Lena Ansmann for the great organization and the valuable exchange on site.
Impressions of the day can also be found here: https://newsroom.jade-hs.de/magazin/impulse-fuer-die-promotion
Innovative research meets lively exchange - Rehab Colloquium 2024
We took part in the Rehab Colloquium in Bremen with our project "KontextSucht" and "PE³PP" from the RV Fit series. The meeting of research and technical expertise opened up exciting perspectives for strengthening participation and social justice.
Our participation was a valuable contribution to the discussion on how we can promote sustainability in the healthcare system and at the same time meet the social challenges of our time. The feedback and suggestions we received for both projects are an important step towards adapting our research even more closely to the needs of society.
A special thank you to everyone who wants to shape the future of healthcare with us. Together, we are developing solutions that will last beyond today and enable real participation.
On February the 15th was International Childhood Cancer Day
Of the approximately 500,000 people who develop cancer in Germany every year, around 2,200 are children and adolescents.
Most common children and teenagers are diagnosed with leukemia (blood cancer), tumors of the brain and the spinal cord, and lymph node cancer.
Leukemia (blood cancer), tumors of the brain and spinal cord and lymph node cancer are most frequently diagnosed in children and adolescents.
Do you know what the golden ribbon is about? The “Goldene Schleife” is a worldwide symbol of solidarity with affected children. It signals personal support, gives courage and inspires hope, that all children and adolescents can beat cancer in the future. It also symbolizes, how precious all help is.
The “kinderonkologische Netzwerk Bayern” (KIONET) has set itself the task of improving the care and chances of recovery for children and adolescents with cancer.
You can find out who is behind KIONET and what goals it pursues in the information series: “KIONET – gemeinsam stark!”
Joint Annual Meeting of DGSMP, DGPH, DGEPI, GMDS und DGMS in Dresden 2024
Under the motto “Health – thinking, researching, acting together“, this year’s annual conference will take place in Dresden from September 8 - 13, 2024. The congress starts with the GMDS conference part from September 8 to 11, followed by the conference part of all other specialist societies.
Abstract submission for the conference is possible from now until March 31,2024 on the congress homepage (https://lnkd.in/e-Df7b8j).
Call for Abstracts “Young Perspectives”
There will also be a session for young scientists at the annual conference, which offers the opportunity to present your own current research work independently of the topic (digital poster with a short 5-minute presentation). This is intended to strengthen the exchange between young researchers. You are cordially invited to submit you contributions and indicate the desired format when submitting them.
Digitalization in healthcare: an immersive perspective
Digitalization is changing the healthcare landscape in profound ways. Scientific publications describe factors such as digital health literacy, internet connectivity and access to digital health services as social determinants of health. This approach draws attention to the complex impact of health technology developments of equal health opportunities.
It is without doubt that digital technologies have the potential to improve healthcare by promoting patient participation and contributing to better health outcomes. However, it is important to be sensitive to the risk that the digital divide can further reinforce existing health inequalities.
Harnessing digital benefits without exacerbating social inequalities is a key challenge. What could effective strategies for an inclusive digital health landscape look like?
The answers to these questions have the potential not only to change the way we view health and technology, but also to significantly influence practice in our healthcare systems. As a department, we are committed to intensively deal with the impact of digitalization on healthcare and are actively researching for solutions to improve equal opportunities in this important area.
TUM School of Medicine and Health (MH)
On October 1st, 2023, the TUM School of Medicine and Health (MH) was founded at the Technical University Munich.
This consists of the former Faculties of Medicine (and the “Klinikum rechts der Isar”) and the former Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences.
Three new departments were established as part of the merger: The Department of Clinical Medicine, the Department of Preclinical Medicine and the Department of Health and Sport Sciences.
We are very excited about the new opportunities and interdisciplinary cooperations that this will promote!
About the goals:
The TUM School of Medicine and Health contributes through scientific research and teaching to:
- The definition of formative influencing factors for sustainable health and quality of life
- Maintaining physical and mental health at all ages through evidence-based concepts
- Decrypting fundamental disease mechanisms
- Improving the early and individual diagnosis of diseases with the aim of prevention
- Using new technologies for research, prevent, and treat diseases
- Personalized prevention of diseases and their effects
- Development and implementation of innovative, preventive and curative interventions
As the TUM School of Medicine and Health has just been founded, our joint homepage is still under construction: https://www.med.tum.de/de
Further information can be found on the websites of the old Faculties of Medicine, and Sports- and Health Sciences, which can be reached via the following links:
https://lnkd.in/ds9dvusb https://lnkd.in/dQu9-jAY
World AIDS Day
Since 1988, “WorldAidsDay” has been taken place annually on December 1st worldwide. It is a day that not only emphasizes the rights of HIV-positive individuals, but also calls for a respectful coexistence without prejudice and exclusion. This day also serves as a remembrance for those who have lost their lives in the fight against the consequences of HIV and AIDS.
With approximately 38 million people living with HIV worldwide, the challenge remains to not only ensure access to life-saving medication, but also to overcome discrimination and stigmatization.
Despite advancements in treatment, individuals affected by HIV can still face prejudice and not all of them have access to the medication that can save their lives.
Find more information here: https://lnkd.in/dgJXbb2
Valuable insights from focus groups of our project PE3PP
Last week, was an important step for our project PE3PP. We, Jan Gehrmann, Jana C. Dehner, Prof. Dr. Matthias Richter and Johannes Stephan, had the opportunity to collect data from focus groups with preventive participants of the intervention “RV Fit Psychische Gesundheit” at the idyllic locations of ´Median Klinik Bad Gottleuba´ and ´SRH Medinet Burgenlandklinik´.
Those focus groups are an essential part of our efforts to enhance psychosocial health at workspaces through innovative app-based approaches. The feedback and insights from these groups are enlightening and confirm the relevance of our work.
We extend our warmest thank you to our teams at both clinics for their marvelous support and hospitality. These experiences and new findings are invaluable for our project.
We are very excited about the analysis of the collected data and how “RV Fit Psychische Gesundheit” can contribute to improving mental health.
More information about the project PE³PP: https://lnkd.in/ethsbBFd
Find more about „RV Fit Psychische Gesundheit“ here: https://lnkd.in/e4GUXcAg
Immerse yourself in the world of practical research
Today, we are opening the door to the practical aspects of our research work at the chair. For the project “KontextSucht”, which deals with addicted parents and their children in inpatient rehabilitation, questionnaires have been packaged, sealed and sent on their journey. This behind-the-scenes look shows how we collect data to gain new insights. We are already looking forward to the returns!
Are you curious, what our project “KontextSucht” is about? Here, we present you a more detailed overview: https://lnkd.in/e_TyvmWp
Children´s Health Report 2023
Around 8 million young people live in Germany. The "Children´s Health Report 2023" by the Children´s Health Foundation examines questions such as: How do climate change and other crises affect the mental health of adolescents? What is the current state of research on the addictive behavior of young people? How can their health literacy be strengthened? Within this context, Theresa Schierl and Matthias Richter have addressed the question: What impact do socio-economic factors have on the health of adolescents in Germany? (pp. 73 ff) https://lnkd.in/ex6q-3uS
New article in the journal Epidemiology and Global Health
The article "The Association of Women’s Empowerment with HIV-Related Indicators: A Pooled Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys in Sub-Saharan Africa" by the authors Theresa Schierl, Luana Fiengo Tanaka, Stefanie J. Klug, Andrea Sylvia Winkler, and Dominik Stelze was published in the journal Epidemiology and Global Health: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44197-023-00153-w
„I want to make a difference for our Department” – Interview with the new Vice Dean Prof. Dr. Matthias Richter
At the closed meeting of the Department Council of the Department of Sport and Health Sciences at Eibsee, Prof. Dr. Matthias Richter, head of the Chair of Social Determinants of Health, was unanimously elected as the new Vice Dean on October 11. In this interview, he talks about his first months at the Department.
"I am particularly looking forward to the freedom in teaching" - Interview with Prof. Dr. Matthias Richter, head of the Chair of Social Determinants of Health
On March 1, 2022, Prof. Dr. Matthias Richter accepted the call of TUM to the new Chair of Social Determinants of Health. Previously, he held the Chair of Medical Sociology and was Director of the Institute of the same name at the Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University (MLU) Halle-Wittenberg. [read more]