Many young people dream of implementing their ideas in their own startup – including in the field of digitalization and health. But what does the path from idea to successful startup look like? In this episode of the Digital Public Health Podcast, host Rasmus Cloes talks to Jan Wessels, founder of bremen-startups.de.

Together they highlight the opportunities and challenges for founders in the healthcare industry and take a special look at the Bremen startup scene.

Jan Wessels explains how important networks and events are for founders to take their first steps and learn from the experiences of others. He shares insights into what formats are available in Bremen, how they work and how interested parties can easily network. He also shows how valuable an active startup community is for the journey from idea to implementation.

One exciting example from Bremen is Skinuvita, a startup that has developed a digital home therapy system for people with chronic skin conditions. Rasmus and Jan discuss how an innovative business idea was developed from a personal problem and what role networks and funding programs played in the process.

They also discuss why founders in the healthcare sector often struggle with concerns – for example, about bureaucracy or the high demands of the market. Jan explains how to overcome these hurdles and why it pays to find the courage to implement.

This episode offers specific tips and exciting perspectives for anyone interested in startups in the field of digitalization and health. Get inspired and learn how to successfully take your first steps in the world of digital health.

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On 10 December 2024, the Early Career Researcher Academy (ECRA) held its inaugural workshop for the second funding phase of the Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen. Nearly 30 ECRA members participated in the workshop, including many new doctoral researchers who began their scientific work at the campus in recent weeks.

The ECRA’s spokesperson, Gowsiga Loganathan (BIPS), emphasised: "I am very pleased that so many of our new members are eager to become actively involved and already have initial ideas about how we should proceed in the second funding phase."

The workshop focused on exploring the role and significance of the ECRA in supporting the individual career development of its members. Discussions also centered on the formation of working groups to address various thematic priorities. Another important topic was the presentation of a proposed mentee-mentor program between LSC postdocs and doctoral researchers, aimed at fostering networking and providing support throughout their academic careers. The former spokesperson of the ECRA, Dr. Laura Maaß (University of Bremen, Socium), added: "The new ECRA will be more technical in terms of the academic backgrounds of its members. I look forward to working with our new members to find out how we can best accommodate their diverse needs, but I am confident that we can achieve this together and create an inspiring and supportive environment for everyone."

Currently, the ECRA comprises 60 scientists, 10 of whom are funded by the LSC DiPH (three postdocs and seven doctoral researchers) and are employed at BIPS, the University of Bremen, the Fraunhofer MEVIS Institute, and the University of Oldenburg. The remaining 50 members are associated with the research campus and the academy through their work on projects related to Digital Public Health. Furthermore, there is an alumni network facilitating exchanges with former members who have successfully completed their doctoral studies or postdoctoral periods. The ECRA plays a central role in connecting and supporting early-career researchers in the field of digital health research, both within Germany and internationally.

The event marks a promising start to the second funding phase of the Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen and continues its focus on the intensive promotion and collaboration of scientists at the beginning of their academic careers.

Bremen – An older woman sits in front of her smartphone. The app that her doctor recommended is supposed to help her organize her medication. But after several attempts, she gives up in frustration: “This isn't for me.” This scene is emblematic of a fundamental problem with digital health in Germany: a lot of things are technically feasible, but access is not the same for everyone.

The position paper published in the Federal Health Bulletin by the Digital Public Health department of the German Society for Public Health shows how digital health solutions can be implemented nationwide and in a socially just way. The researchers call for strategies that reach all citizens, regardless of age, income or technical affinity.

Opportunities and risks of digitalization

Digital health services such as telemedicine or health apps offer enormous opportunities. They can make healthcare more efficient and facilitate access. However, the position paper warns that if vulnerable groups – such as older people or the socially disadvantaged – are not considered when developing such solutions, the digital divide threatens to grow.

Dr. Laura Maaß, spokesperson of the department and postdoc at the Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen, puts it clearly: “I am very pleased that the Bundesgesundheitsblatt is giving us the platform to focus on the digitalization of public health, because time is of the essence! Germany needs digital solutions that are accessible to everyone. We need to promote health literacy and overcome the digital divide, otherwise we will lose the potential of digitalization for prevention and care.”

Health literacy as the key

One of the core problems is digital health literacy: many people cannot use apps or other digital tools properly. Yet the ability to understand and use such applications is crucial to making health services truly accessible. Interactive and participatory approaches could help to better involve patients and thus strengthen personal responsibility for health.

Stephanie Hoffmann, co-spokesperson for the department, adds: “New digital services for prevention, health promotion and health care must take into account people's health needs and individual requirements. Only then can they truly reach people and contribute to equal health opportunities.”

What is missing: research and teaching

The position paper also criticizes the fact that the field of digital public health is still in its infancy in Germany. Degree programs rarely address the topic, and research focuses too heavily on clinical applications. Prevention and health promotion are often left out – both in research and teaching, as well as in health policy, which focuses almost exclusively on the digitalization of medical health care. This must be addressed urgently in order to think about digitalization more broadly and sustainably.

One system for all

The researchers emphasize: Digitization in healthcare must not be an end in itself. The aim is to reduce health inequalities, strengthen prevention and make care more efficient – without excluding anyone. To achieve this, politics, science and practice must work together.

The Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen

The Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS, the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS and the University of Bremen have been cooperating in the research network since the beginning of the funding. The University of Oldenburg and OFFIS – Institute for Information Technology have been won as new partners for the second funding phase.

The Bremen Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health is one of 21 ScienceCampi focusing on a specific topic and serving to strategically network Leibniz institutes with universities and other regional partners. The aim is to create networks to further develop the respective research area and to strengthen the scientific environment. Leibniz ScienceCampi conduct strategic research, promote interdisciplinarity in topics, projects and methods, raise the profile of the respective location and strengthen its research profile.

Original publication

Maaß, L., Dockweiler, C., Hocke-Bolte, Z. et al. Digital Public Health in Deutschland: Status quo, Herausforderungen und Zukunftsperspektiven. Bundesgesundheitsbl (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-024-03989-0

Electronic patient records, telemedicine and big data: the importance of data in the healthcare sector is growing. Since the coronavirus pandemic at the latest, it has become clear that this topic affects us all. In the 19th episode of the Digital Public Health Podcast, host Rasmus Cloes talks to Dr. Timm Intemann about how the handling of data in health research is changing.