Strengthening disease prevention and health promotion has become an increasingly important strategy for ensuring sustainable health systems and improving population health. While many health systems still focus predominantly on treating diseases, growing scientific evidence highlights the importance of preventive approaches that maintain health and quality of life over the long term. Translating this evidence into effective policies and practical measures, however, remains a central challenge.
In response to this challenge, the WR organised the international conference “Preventive Health Care: From Research to Action” in coopera-tion with the Volkswagen Foundation. The event brought together experts and stakeholders from research, policy, and the health sector to discuss how scientific findings on prevention can be translated more effectively into practice.
Throughout the conference, participants discussed the societal value of prevention, the conditions necessary for successful implementation, and practical pathways for moving from scientific evidence to real-world action. International perspectives and examples of best practice from across Europe complemented the debate and illustrated how preventive strategies can be implemented effectively within different health systems.
A central feature of the conference was the presentation of a new position paper by the German Science and Humanities Council, delivered by Wolfgang Wick. The paper outlines a health-oriented transformation of research and health care in Germany, calling for cross-sectoral collaboration, a consistent focus on evidence-based disease prevention, and the systematic integration of preventive thinking into policy and research agendas. Prevention is framed not as an isolated policy field, but as a cross-cutting principle requiring structural change across sectors.