A great number of diseases, and the concomitant health care expenditure, could be avoided with the corresponding prevention measures. This is why the Federal Ministry of Health lays special store by the improvement of prevention in Germany. The various initiatives and national action plans are, in part, conducted in collaboration with other ministries.

National Action Plan – IN FORM (2008 to 2011)

Representative studies indicate that unbalanced nutrition and insufficient physical activity are significant problems in Germany. This increases the danger of diseases. With the 'National Action Plan to Prevent the Lack of Physical Activity and Malnutrition', the Federal Government is seeking to make it possible for children to grow up healthier, for adults to have a healthier life-style and for everyone to enjoy a higher quality of life and greater productivity. Diseases which are caused, among other factors, by an unhealthy lifestyle, a one-sided diet and a lack of physical activity, need to be reduced drastically. For the purpose of implementing the action plan, about 15 million euro each were allocated in the budgets of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection and in that of the Federal Ministry of Health, for an initial period of three years (2008 to 2010). More information can be found on the internet at www.in-form.de.

Life has Weight

Eating disorders and the serious diseases associated with it such as anorexia, bulimia (binge-purge disorder) and obesity are increasing dramatically in our society. Most affected are young people, especially girls and women. According to the German Health Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) conducted by the Robert Koch Institute, one out of five children be-tween the ages of 11 and 17 shows symptoms of an eating disorder.

This is where the initiative 'Life has Weight – Together Against Slimming Mania' takes its cue. It was launched in 2007 by the former Federal Minister of Health, Ulla Schmidt, together with the Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Ursula von der Leyen, the Federal Minister for Education, Dr. Annette Schavan, and the publicist Alice Schwarzer.

The goal is to transport a positive body image to young people and strengthen their self-esteem. Alongside awareness-building among the public and various prevention measures, 'Life has Weight' relies primarily on voluntary commitment. An important counterpart in this endeav-our is the fashion and modelling industry.

Women and Health

The differences between women and men are not only biological in nature. Both women and men are influenced by society and their role in it. Sex as well as gender has a high impact on the health status of individuals.

For Women's Health, it is important to consider physical, psychological and social aspects. Consequently, all stages of life and all age groups must be kept in mind. 

Women's health policy needs to deal with the following questions:

• How can women stay healthy?
• What are the potential health risks for women?
• What does this knowledge mean for the prevention, diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation of diseases?

The German Federal Ministry of Health is currently dealing with these questions. Very important topics are diseases which occur more frequently in women or have a more serious clinical outcome. The Ministry is also focusing on the influence which social factors exert on women's health and on health risks and diseases which affect women exclusively. In this context, it is important to take women's different life situations as well as different age groups into consideration. Prevention measures should begin as early as possible in life – and it is never too late to start!

There are also diseases which are especially important for men. Men die more often of cardiovascular diseases and the suicide rate is higher among men than among women. The challenges which men face in society are different from those faced by women. Men run a far higher risk of being injured or killed in (car) accidents than do women. Men's health policy needs to deal with the following questions as well:

• How can men stay healthy?
• What are the potential health risks for men?
• What does this knowledge mean for the prevention, diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation of diseases?

The German Federal Ministry of Health is considering these circumstances surrounding men's health and is striving to improve their health situation. A very important aspect is workplace health promotion. For the reasons mentioned, prevention, prevention measures and health promotion need to be gender-specific.

Child Health

In general, the health status of children and young people in Germany is good. However, the chances of living a healthy life without disease and impairments are not distributed equally. Especially children from socially disadvantaged families face a higher health risk as a result of their family's lifestyle and life circumstances.

This is why the Federal Government adopted the 'Strategy of the Federal Government for the Promotion of Child Health' in May 2008. The Strategy is based on the results of the German Health Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). This was the first survey to compile comprehensive and representative data on the health, health-related behaviour and health care provision of children and young people in Germany.

AIDS/HIV

The increase in new HIV infections observed in recent years has bottomed out since 2008. However, this is no reason to sound the all-clear. In 2010, an estimated 3,000 persons became newly infected with HIV in Germany. In 2010, the funds allocated by the Federal Government for AIDS prevention amounted to 13.2 million euros.

By international comparison, the figures in Germany continue to be very low.
For further information about HIV/AIDS prevention see the website of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA).