Prof. Dr. Eva-Lotta Brakemeier
Professor for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at University Greifswald
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie (DGPs) e.V. Präsidentin
Prevention is not a marginal issue in health policy
Prof. Dr. Eva-Lotta Brakemeier:
Prevention is not a marginal issue in health policy
It is one of the central questions for the future of our society.
Why do we still invest so much in restoring health – and so little in preventing it?
This question has occupied me intensely over the past few weeks.
Whether in the Science Council, the German Psychological Society (DGPs) e.V., at the University of Greifswald or in exchanges with partners from politics and society – it becomes clear time and again:
We need a real cultural shift: from repair medicine to prevention.
Some impressions from the last few weeks:
Science Council
In Hanover, we presented our WR contribution, "Prevention and Health Promotion in Science, Healthcare, and Society," which calls for precisely this change – towards a policy of general health. Health should not be solely the responsibility of the healthcare system, but must be considered in all political areas.
At the symposium, Sarah Stapel and I were also able to present our association “Together for Mental Health” for discussion – an example of how prevention can be implemented concretely at the regional level: through voluntary commitment, accompanying scientific research and the involvement of many committed individuals.
One Health
Prevention doesn't end with the individual. Healthy people can only exist on a healthy planet. This idea was impressively presented by Cornelia Betsch and Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen at the German Psychological Society's (DGP) parliamentary evening on the topic of climate protection. Karl Lauterbach emphasized that social stability, ecological foundations of life, and (mental) health are more closely linked than long assumed.
Mental Health Alliance
An impressive new alliance of stakeholders from science, healthcare, and civil society – under the dedicated leadership of Vanessa Gestettenbauer and many others.
Together, we pursue a clear goal: a system that empowers young people in particular before they become ill – and not just intervenes when treatment becomes necessary. Because we share a central insight: there is no health without mental health.
And Sunday evening in Hamburg:
Leon Windscheid's presentation impressively demonstrated the power of science communication. A whole room full of people – and evidence-based psychology, presented in an understandable, moving, and motivating way. In short: prevention in practice.
My conclusion
The window of opportunity for prevention is now open. It is crucial that we seize it – in politics, science, and society. Prevention is not a luxury. It is a fundamental prerequisite for a healthy, resilient, and sustainable society.
In your opinion, what would need to change for prevention to finally receive the importance it deserves?
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