The early career researcher developed "Digital Public Health Maturity Index" in her dissertation
Dr. Laura Maaß (Postdoc in the LSC) has been awarded the dissertation prize of the German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP) for her outstanding dissertation in the field of social medicine and prevention. Her research focused on the digitalization of health systems as well as digital health care and prevention services (Digital Public Health).
In her dissertation, Laura Maaß developed the "Digital Public Health Maturity Index," an instrument that enables measurement for the first time of how far the digitalization of national health systems can be implemented, or is already being implemented. The index captures not only technological and legal aspects, but also social dimensions such as acceptance and trust among the population, as well as the breadth and depth of digital interventions deployed in prevention, health promotion, health care, and surveillance.
For her achievement, the early-career researcher received the dissertation prize of the German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP) in September, which annually recognizes an outstanding dissertation from the field. The prize includes a prize money of 1,000 euros and additionally includes a one-year, fee-free membership in the DGSMP as well as coverage of travel costs to the society's next annual conference. The prize jury consisted of Dr. Adrienne Alayli, Prof. Dr. Susanne Hartung, Dr. Janice Hegewald, Prof. Dr. Eike Quilling, and Prof. Dr. Enno Swart.
"I am very grateful for this award and the appreciation it expresses for my work. I hope that with my dissertation, I can make an innovative contribution to the design of evidence-based, equitable, and sustainable digital strategies in social medicine and prevention, and thus strengthen their core mission: promoting health equity and social participation in an increasingly digitalized society," says Laura Maaß.
Her dissertation can be viewed free of charge on the website of the State and University Library Bremen: media.suub.uni-bremen.de/handle/elib/8243
