A new report shows that there are more deaths from heart disease in Germany. Lauterbach‘s recently passed “Healthy Heart Law” is intended to counteract this. But it is sending the wrong signals.
The Federal Minister of Health actually had the right idea: There are too many people suffering from heart disease and deaths from heart disease in Germany; their numbers are increasing, so better early detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are urgently needed. Lauterbach’s “Healthy Heart Law”, which was passed at the end of August, is intended to address this.
The problem, however, is that the law sets the wrong priorities – treatment takes precedence over prevention. Experts agree that it should be the other way around.
Drug treatment is being strengthened and started earlier. In the future, drugs to lower cholesterol or blood pressure will be prescribed at lower thresholds (including in children). But this is highly controversial and contradicts scientific guidelines (the here Although some patients will benefit from the drug, it will be the large pharmaceutical companies that will do most of this. But that is another story.
Preventive measures are also planned in the new law: early detection examinations will be introduced for children and young people so that those at risk of heart disease can be treated in good time. The same applies to adults aged 25 and over, for whom there will be preventive examinations classified according to age and risk.
This is the right and important step – even if there are voices from the medical profession saying that implementing the required screenings could lead to overloading of the already overcrowded practices.
But real prevention must go much further.
It is well known that cardiovascular diseases can be combated much earlier and more effectively through lifestyle changes. If Lauterbach really wants to reduce the number of heart patients, the diseases must be prevented in advance. However, there are no incentives or programs to promote a healthy lifestyle, such as nutritional advice or exercise programs, in the text of the law.
Brainpower and money should also be invested in educational work. Why is there no public campaign to highlight the importance of exercise, healthy eating and stress reduction for heart health? Why is the topic of heart health not covered more in school lessons so that children learn early on how to protect their hearts through diet and exercise? And why are there no plans to subsidise healthy food, while at the same time unhealthy food (for example, highly processed products) is becoming more expensive through higher taxes?
All of these measures are necessary to get people to change their behavior. They could save many hearts. First getting a heart condition and then taking pills certainly won’t do it.
What are the main criticisms of Germany’s “Healthy Heart Law” regarding its approach to heart disease prevention?
Table of Contents
A New Report Reveals the Flaws in Germany’s “Healthy Heart Law”
A recent report has highlighted the rising number of deaths from heart disease in Germany, prompting the government to introduce the “Healthy Heart Law” aimed at addressing this critical issue. While the law is a step in the right direction, experts argue that it prioritizes treatment over prevention, which may not be the most effective approach to combating heart disease.
The ”Healthy Heart Law”, introduced by Federal Minister of Health Lauterbach, aims to improve early detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases [[1]]. The law strengthens drug treatment and introduces earlier prescription of medications to lower cholesterol or blood pressure, including for children. While this may benefit some patients, experts argue that this approach contradicts scientific guidelines and may primarily benefit pharmaceutical companies [[2]].
The law also includes preventive measures, such as early detection examinations for children and young people, as well as adults aged 25 and over. These measures are a crucial step in identifying those at risk of heart disease and providing timely treatment. However, concerns have been raised that implementing these screenings may overload already overcrowded medical practices.
Despite these measures, experts argue that the law falls short in promoting real prevention. Cardiovascular diseases can be combated more effectively through lifestyle changes, such as healthy nutrition and regular exercise. The law does not include incentives or programs to promote a healthy lifestyle, which is essential for preventing heart disease.
Furthermore, educational work is crucial in raising awareness about the risks of heart disease and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, there is no public campaign to highlight the risks of heart disease or promote healthy living [[3]].
while the “Healthy Heart Law” is a well-intentioned initiative, it sends the wrong signals by prioritizing treatment over prevention. To effectively combat heart disease, the German government must invest more in educational work, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and address the root causes of cardiovascular diseases.
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A New Report Reveals the Flaws in Germany’s “Healthy Heart Law”
A recent report has highlighted the rising number of deaths from heart disease in Germany, prompting the government to introduce the “Healthy Heart Law” aimed at addressing this critical issue. While the law is a step in the right direction, experts argue that it prioritizes treatment over prevention, which may not be the most effective approach to combating heart disease.
Prioritizing Treatment over Prevention
The “Healthy Heart Law”, introduced by Federal Minister of Health Lauterbach, aims to improve early detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases [[1]]. The law strengthens drug treatment and introduces earlier prescription of medications to lower cholesterol or blood pressure, including for children. While this may benefit some patients, experts argue that this approach contradicts scientific guidelines and may primarily benefit pharmaceutical companies [[2]].
Preventive Measures Fall Short
The law also includes preventive measures, such as early detection examinations for children and young people, as well as adults aged 25 and over. These measures are a crucial step in identifying those at risk of heart disease and providing timely treatment. However, concerns have been raised that implementing these screenings may overload already overcrowded medical practices.
Lack of Incentives for Healthy Lifestyle
Despite these measures, experts argue that the law falls short in promoting real prevention. Cardiovascular diseases can be combated more effectively through lifestyle changes, such as healthy nutrition and regular exercise. The law does not include incentives or programs to promote a healthy lifestyle, which is essential for preventing heart disease.
Educational Work is Crucial
Furthermore, educational work is crucial in raising awareness about the risks of heart disease and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, there is no public campaign to highlight the risks of heart disease or promote healthy living [[3]].
A Misguided Approach
While the “Healthy Heart Law” is a well-intentioned initiative, it sends the wrong signals by prioritizing treatment over prevention. To effectively combat heart disease, the German government must invest more in educational
