Von der Leyen Warns of Setbacks in Public Health Amid Rising Misinformation

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has issued a stark warning about potential setbacks in public health during a symposium at the Medical University of Hanover. She stressed that hard-won advances against preventable diseases risk reversal due to challenges like geopolitical instability, climate change, and notably, the spread of misinformation.

Speaking in memory of Friedrich Wilhelm Schwartz, a pioneer of German public health, von der Leyen highlighted the urgent need for global responsibility, foresight, and innovation to safeguard health progress. She announced the development of a new Global Health Resilience Initiative aimed at strengthening global preparedness, eradicating diseases such as polio, and empowering developing countries to produce vaccines locally.

Von der Leyen also addressed the uneven adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare within Europe, unveiling a strategy to accelerate AI use while ensuring patient safety and data protection. She called attention to the significant impact misinformation has on public health, emphasizing the necessity for robust scientific research and communication efforts to counter false information campaigns.

Furthermore, she noted the success of the 'Choose Europe' initiative, which has seen a 64% rise in applications from international researchers seeking postdoctoral fellowships, reflecting growing global interest in European scientific institutions.

The symposium underscored the importance of renewing commitment to public health and scientific collaboration in the EU, with von der Leyen advocating that these challenges present an opportunity for Europe to strengthen its health systems and research capabilities.

The legacy of Friedrich Wilhelm Schwartz, who passed away in 2024 and was instrumental in establishing one of Germany's first public health master's programs, served as a poignant reminder of the importance of advancing public health knowledge and policy.