Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann appointed special representative for climate resilience and prevention

Helmholtz Munich researcher Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann was appointed "special representative of the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care for Climate Resilience and Prevention." This was announced by Bavaria's Minister of Health Klaus Holetschek. "Climate change is clearly noticeable in Bavaria. For example, heat waves occur more frequently than in the past, and particularly vulnerable groups, such as the elderly or young children, are severely affected by heat in terms of health. We must be prepared for these, and other health hazards caused by climate change. We must act now to minimize the long-term health consequences of climate change for our citizens. That is why we are practicing prevention in the best sense of the word. With the special representative and the Competence Center, we are joining forces to create strong structures to strengthen resilience to the consequences of climate change in Bavaria - our climate resilience."

Holetschek adds: "With Prof. Dr. Traidl-Hoffmann, we have been able to recruit a recognized expert for the position of the special representative for Climate Resilience and Prevention. Due to her outstanding expertise in the field of climate change and health, she is very well suited to serve as special representative for Climate Resilience and Prevention."

Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann is Director of the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Helmholtz Munich, Chair of Environmental Medicine at the University of Augsburg and Deputy Director of the Center for Climate Resilience at the University of Augsburg. The scientist has extensive and long-standing experience in the field of environmental medicine. With her work, Traidl-Hoffmann aims to understand which environmental factors make us sick and which protective factors from the environment keep us healthy. Her focus is on diseases that occur more frequently or show more severe symptoms due to the effects of climate change. Her clinical focus is on chronic inflammatory diseases, such as allergies and atopic dermatitis. The overarching goal of her work is the prevention and treatment of environmental diseases and climate resilience of the health care system. "No one can escape the health consequences of climate change. That's why it's hugely important that we prepare and adapt. The health sector in particular must be able to meet its care responsibilities in the event of extreme events such as extreme heat. Prevention and resilience are the two key areas where we can and must start," explains Traidl-Hoffmann. And she adds: "I am delighted to be able to promote both in this new role. Early warning systems, heat adaptations, personalized prevention, and improving the health conditions of our population through more sustainable lifestyles can go a long way. We just have to do it!"

The aim of the appointment of the special representatives and the establishment of the "Competence Center Health Protection in Climate Change" at the LGL is to network and coordinate projects in the field of climate change and health. According to LGL President Prof. Dr. Christian Weidner, the new competence center will bundle the various interdisciplinary activities and create synergies to address climate-related challenges in the health sector.