Center for Global Health (CGH) at TUM

🔔 Yesterday, we had Prof. Minka Breloer, group leader at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, Germany, at Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene (MIH), presenting her talk on ‘Redundant and non-redundant functions of group 2 innate lymphoid cells during Strongyloides ratti infection in mice’ profiling her newest data on the role of ILC2s (innate lymphocytes) during infection with the nematode S. ratti; a model to study human infection with Strongyloides in greater detail. Such nematodes are so-called geohelminths which belong to the group of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). Currently, every 4th human is infected with at least one helminth! We hope to keep progress with Minka’s exciting research in the future, as well as other colleagues in the field. We are also grateful to Infect-Net, for funding Minka’s visit. As proud members, we are delighted to support InfectNet’s mission to enhance the visibility of women scientists in infectious disease research!

🔔 We are proud to announce this important publication “Beyond buzzwords: fostering interdisciplinary and collaborative global health research in Germany and beyond “ by the German Alliance for Global Health Research (GLOHRA), which our Co-Director Prof. Prazeres da Costa has co-authored as a steering board member of GLOHRA”. Read the publication here: https://lnkd.in/d38hXUw3

🌍✨ World Health Summit 2024 Recap! ✨🌍 Last week, our Global Brain Health Unit at the Department of Neurology and the Center for Global Health at Technische Universität München attended the World Health Summit 2024 from October 13th to 15th, where global leaders, experts, and innovators came together under the theme “Building Trust for a Healthier World.” Representing our team, Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea Winkler, Kim Laura Weiszhar, Jack Fisher, and Otilia Stancescu were on-site, actively engaging in discussions and collaborations aimed at shaping a healthier and more equitable future. Our colleagues attended many thought-provoking sessions that addressed some of the most pressing issues in global health. These included discussions on whether AI can enhance public trust in science 🔬, the mental health burden during and after crises 🧠, and the role of human connection in healthcare in the digital age 💻. Other key topics covered were investing in women's health as a driver for global development 👩⚕️, bridging policy and research by translating the EU Global Health Strategy into action 🌍, how youth are driving digital health and innovation for global well-being 👩💻 , and many more. We also took part in the new Global Health Labs, a dynamic format under the Chatham House rules fostering collaboration and innovation. During the event, we enjoyed a lovely lunch gathering with the Women for One Health (WfOH) Network , where it was wonderful to meet and connect in person. Also, we were privileged to attend the Signature Event featuring Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Federal Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Karl Lauterbach, Bill Gates, the Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization and many more leaders, who pledged their support to the World Health Organization and ultimately to Global Health. Dr. Tedros words at the opening night deeply resonated with us: "Health moves at the speed of trust," reinforcing this year's theme and the powerful message that "the best medicine is peace." Our team also had the pleasure of meeting the WHO Director-General for a quick chat. Many thanks to the World Health Summit for their outstanding organization and hospitality.  #WHS2024 #GlobalHealth #BuildingTrust #WomenforOneHealth

🧠 Strengthening Global Action on Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Dr. Sarbani Chakraborty from the Global Brain Health Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital at TUM, and Center for Global Health at TUM School of Medicine and Health recently participated in a G7 Health Ministers Meeting side event organized by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, the Global CEO’s Initiative on Alzheimer’s, and the European Brain Council in Ancona, Italy. The event underscored the urgent need for a global response to Alzheimer’s disease. The communiqué from this side event can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ey4eRa-J During the meeting, the Global Brain Health Partnership (GBHP) emphasized the critical importance of: - Expanding global and cross-sector collaboration - Investing in health system preparedness - Building capabilities for early detection and accurate diagnosis We also discussed the vital synergies between brain health protection and other non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention interventions. The global community must adopt synergistic approaches to tackle brain health, especially during times of global fiscal constraints. By working together and integrating brain health initiatives into broader health strategies, we can foster a healthier future for individuals and communities worldwide. Let’s unite our efforts to combat Alzheimer’s and enhance brain health for all!

🌍 Exciting Update from the Global Brain Health Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital at TUM, and Center for Global Health at TUM School of Medicine and Health! 🧠 We are proud to share that our Co-Joint Director, Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea Sylvia S. Winkler, and Senior Researcher, Dr. Sarbani Chakraborty, were invited to contribute to the sixth Task Force meeting on Brain Health in India. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Rajinde K. Dhamija, Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), was organized under the Health and Family Welfare Division of NITI Aayog to strengthen brain health services in India. Other speakers included Tarun Dua, Head of Brain Health at the World Health Organization and Harris Eyre, Executive Director of the Brain Capital Alliance. ✨ Prof. Dr. Dr. Winkler emphasized the growing burden of brain health conditions in India, driven largely by NCDs, and highlighted how the recently launched Global Brain Health Partnership (GBHP) could support India’s brain health programs. ✨ Dr. Chakraborty stressed the importance of brain health in relation to economic development, particularly in future-proofing India’s workforce to thrive in an era of creativity, innovation, and resilience. She emphasized the need for brain health interventions throughout the life course to help India capitalize on its youth and silver dividends. A big thank you to the organizers and our partners in India and globally. We are excited to continue advancing brain health initiatives together!

📢 We’re excited to announce that this month’s Global Health Talk’s speaker will be Dr. Faith Osier! Dr. Faith Osier will be talking about human challenge studies to accelerate vaccine development against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. 🗓️Date: October 29th, 2024 🕖Time: 16:00 to 17:30 CET (GMT+2) 🔗Place: Online via Zoom You can register for the Webinar via this link: https://lnkd.in/dHYcSRuU In this session, we will explore the development of vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum malaria, how natural immunity is acquired and how human challenge studies are applied in the study of immune targets and mechanisms. More information about Dr. Faith Osier’s work: https://lnkd.in/drZA9krU 💡 Don't miss this opportunity to engage with a leading voice in malaria vaccine research! #GlobalHealth #MalariaStudies #MalariaVaccines

🌍 Celebrating World Mental Health Day 🧠 On October 10th, 2024, we celebrate World Mental Health Day, an essential opportunity to raise awareness about mental health and mobilize global support. This year’s theme, “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace”, emphasizes the need to create supportive environments for mental well-being at work. 🏢💙 💡 Did you know that 1 in every 8 people worldwide lives with a mental disorder? Factors such as biological influences, chemical imbalances, loneliness, existing trauma, substance abuse, and poor nutrition can contribute to mental health disorders. These issues are influenced by a complex mix of genetic, environmental, and social factors. 🌐🧠 Mental health is closely linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, which are leading causes of death worldwide. However, mental health is often absent from global health initiatives targeting NCDs. Research shows that mental health issues can increase the risk of mortality from associated physical health problems. For instance, depression is linked to behaviors such as alcohol consumption, tobacco use, poor diet, and reduced physical exercise, which in turn can worsen other NCDs. This growing understanding underscores the need for a coordinated approach that integrates mental health with other global health agendas. 🌍 🔗https://lnkd.in/eM5jTJDJ 🔗 To learn more about how modern challenges such as digitalization, chronic illnesses, pandemics, and migration impact mental health, visit https://lnkd.in/d_HW8AzU 🌐 Additionally, the Technical University of Munich Institute for LifeLong Learning will celebrate World Mental Health Day by offering a variety of virtual short lectures and workshops aimed at strengthening personal resources and developing beneficial strategies for mental well-being. 🔗Explore the schedule here: https://lnkd.in/dbqJ8JBe Raising awareness and discussing mental health can reduce stigma and encourage everyone to seek help. Let’s work together to create supportive environments for everyone. 🤝💪 WFMH World Federation for Mental Health #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing #GlobalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #NCDs #Prevention #Support 

Together with our partner secretariat at the University of Global Health Equity, Rwanda (Director: Dr. Phaedra Henley), and the University of Nairobi, Kenya (Director: Dr. Lilian Waiboci, Community Manager: Hellen Wambui), the German Women for One Health (WfOH) Team (based at the Department of Neurology and the Center for Global Health, Technische Universität München, Germany), including our Co(joint)-Founding Director Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea Winkler, and our Community Manager Kim Laura Weiszhar organized the WfOH participation at the World One Health Congress 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. Our WfOH panel, held as part of the morning sessions on September 21, focused on the theme "Integrating Diversity and Equity in One Health." Moderated by Prof. Salome Bukachi (University of Nairobi), the panel featured diverse speakers including Cat McGillycudy (UK Health Security Agency), Claudia Robbiati (Sapienza Università di Roma), Dr. Lilian Waiboci (University of Nairobi), Dr. Phaedra Henley, Dr. Anselme Shyaka (both from the University of Global Health Equity), and Dr. Heidi Auerswald (Institut Pasteur du Cambodge). The panel focused on the essential role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the effective implementation of a One Health (OH) approach. Discussions centered around key questions such as why equity and inclusion are crucial to OH, how to approach diversity in the OH field, and how to actively support women and other underserved groups. The conversation aimed to identify and overcome barriers to DEI, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and representative OH framework. At lunchtime, we organized a network get-together, where we had the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas. It was a great chance to meet in person and share experiences! Additionally, our two community managers, Hellen Wambui and Kim Laura Weiszhar, presented our poster on the evening of September 21st. If you would like to become part of the network, please register on our website under wfoh.org as a One Health expert, or feel free to contact us directly at info@wfoh.org. Many thanks to everyone who participated, and especially to our amazing WfOH Team. A special thank you goes to our funder, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, for their ongoing support, which has been essential to our achievements.

✨ Recap: Aku Kwamie’s Global Health Talk ✨ A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined this month's Global Health Talk Speaker Series session! A special thanks to Dr. Aku Kwamie for her thought-provoking presentation: "Talking Systems: Renewing Applied Systems Thinking in Global and Public Health." Dr. Kwamie offered a deep dive into systems thinking, emphasizing its crucial role in understanding and addressing the complexities of healthcare systems. She highlighted how health systems are interconnected assemblies of components, each serving different functions. Key topics from her talk: 🔹 What do we mean by applied systems thinking? 🔹 Why is applied systems thinking essential in today’s health landscape? 🔹 How does systems thinking help navigate global health challenges? 🔹 Real-world examples, including the UK’s NCD Foresight Report on tackling obesity and the role of systems thinking during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Kwamie also explored the ontology and epistemology behind systems thinking, advocating for a multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach to addressing public health challenges. 💬 The session wrapped up with a livey Q&A, sparking insightful discussions. 🙏 Thank you once again, Dr. Kwamie—it was a privilege to host you! 📅 Save the Date! Our next event is on 29th October. Don't miss out—register here: https://lnkd.in/eC_HW-mi.

📅 Mark your calendars for September 30th, 9-10 AM EST | 3-4 PM CEST! Join us for a panel discussion on Financing NCDs, moderated by Dr. Sarbani Chakraborty, Senior Researcher at the Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology, as part of the session "An Inclusive Integrated Strategy for Capitalizing NCDs—the Women’s Cancer Case Study" organized by Dr. Kee B. Park from Harvard Medical School. This 60-minute panel will feature experts from the WHO, Harvard Medical School and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The discussion will focus on how innovative health financing solutions can drive integrated and essential care for NCDs. 🔗 Register now to be part of the CUGH Virtual Week: Global Health Webinar Series running from Sept 30 - Oct 3, 2024. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dzmMF2-c