Health is not just a medical issue, because it requires physical, mental and social well-being. Moreover, in a highly interconnected world, health is not a purely national affair. In addition to inadequate health systems or the spread of infectious diseases, human health is further threatened in many places around the world by environmental pollution, climate change, resource depletion as well as poverty and social inequalities. In 2022, the Leopoldina is dedicating its Annual Assembly to the topic of Global Health. From 23–24 September, scientists will come together in Halle (Saale) to discuss how social, economic and environmental risks to health can be dealt with and how living environments can be shaped in a way to promote health.

The scientific coordination of the Annual Assembly 2022 has been taken over by the veterinarian and microbiologist Prof. Dr. Lothar H. Wieler, Senator of the Global Health Section, together with Prof. Dr. Susanne Hartmann and Prof. Dr. Thomas Mettenleiter.