Prevention and Health Promotion from a Planetary Health Perspective

Health promotion and prevention focused on living environments hold significant potential to achieve co-benefits for both human health and the environment. Many measures that improve people’s health and well-being in their everyday surroundings also contribute to climate and environmental protection. For example, promoting healthier, plant-based diets illustrates this synergy, particularly when structural conditions in living environments are improved to support sustainable dietary choices.

In cooperation with BARMER health insurance and KLUG e.V., we analyse the Prevention Guide issued by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) to explore the scope of action available to health insurers for implementing co-beneficial measures. Furthermore, we develop quality indicators for project funding in the field of health promotion and prevention in living environments that take into account the interconnections between climate, environment, and human health. As part of this, we train employees to become change agents within the BARMER health insurance organisation.

Project Objectives

The aim is to embed the Planetary Health perspective into BARMER’s health promotion and prevention activities across various living environments.

Methodik

Synthesis of scientific evidence on the health co-benefits of climate and environmental protection and development of practical recommendations
Analysis of the Prevention Guide issued by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband)
Background consultations on how the Planetary Health perspective can be integrated into the regulatory and operational framework of health insurance funds
Development of Planetary Health criteria for project tenders and funding calls