“Whether for humanitarian, development policy, economic reasons or out of self-interest, it is necessary to contain the spread of diseases. As a community of nations, we have a joint responsibility to do so”, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin this May.

by Gerhard Wahlers

For some time, Germany has been extremely active in the field of global health and has contributed greatly to shaping central elements of global health structures. Nevertheless, Germany should continue to invest in expanding global health infrastructure and coordinate its own activities even more closely than it has in the past.

by Ilona Kickbusch

Epidemics and pandemics pose a real danger in the highly connected 21st century. Densely populated areas like the EU, with lively exchange of goods and services, are especially susceptible to the rapid spread of infectious diseases. The good news is: we can prepare ourselves – but it won’t be easy.

by Daniela Braun

An Interview with Dr. Christopher Elias, President of the Global Development Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

by Sebastian Enskat, M.A.

The world is changing – unsettlingly quickly, and largely as a result of human activity. The effects of climate change can already be felt today, and natural disasters are common events. Climate change greatly affects our health. Accordingly, it is important not only to reduce greenhouse gases, but also to prepare for the weather- and climate change-related consequences, and adapt to them. A climate-resilient health policy will be necessary.

by Peter Hefele, Louisa Gaus

Health Policy in South Africa and Dealing with ­HIV

­HIV is one of the most devastating pandemics of our time. South Africa – the country with one fifth of the world’s ­HIV cases – has made some progress. However, that could change, if not as many HIV-positive South Africans as possible are taking antiretroviral medication regularly or if risky behaviour increases and awareness of the problem decreases. First signs for this can be found right now already.

by Michaela Braun

The scale of the current crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) does not come close to that of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. However, nine months after the outbreak, it is the second worst case in the history of the Ebola virus. Although there is a vaccine today, it has not been possible to bring the epidemic under control. The problem is the country’s poor security situation. In only a few weeks (end of March to May 2019), the death toll rose from approximately 600 to more than 1,000. Placing faith in the Congo to solve its problems on its own is a dangerous game. International presence in the country strengthens the newly elected president.

by Benno Müchler

Air Pollution Causes Serious Health Problems in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia is not just the coldest capital city in the world. In 2016, this city of over a million inhabitants also overtook New Delhi and Beijing as the capital with the highest levels of air pollution. Politicians recognise the problem but seem largely powerless to act. The city’s residents are becoming increasingly frustrated.

by Johann C. Fuhrmann

Implementing Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals in Fragile and Conflict-Ridden Countries

In the global Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, adopted in 2015, the issue of health plays a central role for the achievement of sustainable development. Particularly in fragile and conflict-ridden countries, such as Venezuela and Yemen, these ambitious goals face numerous challenges that call their chances of success into question.

by Veronika Ertl, Martina Kaiser

A Conversation with Dr. Georg Milde, Publisher of the Journal politik&kommunikation

by Sebastian Enskat, M.A.