Germany’s medical establishment is issuing a stark warning regarding the nation’s public health trajectory, with the President of the Federal Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, advocating for aggressive policy interventions to combat rising rates of childhood obesity and related diseases. Reinhardt’s call for action, delivered to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, centers on the urgent need for a sugar tax and mandatory health education in schools, framed as critical measures to avert a looming surge in diabetes cases impacting future generations.
“The impending wave of diabetes among children and adolescents, driven by inactivity and poor nutrition, is already demonstrably looming” Reinhardt stated, emphasizing the responsibility of policymakers to address these systemic issues. His criticism extends beyond immediate concerns, highlighting Germany’s comparatively poor performance in preventative healthcare. The country currently ranks 17th out of 18 European nations in the “Public Health Index” a benchmark assessing the implementation of scientifically recommended preventative measures.
Reinhardt’s proposed solutions align with those recommendations, explicitly endorsing higher taxes on sugar, tobacco and alcohol as a means of curbing consumption – revenue generated from which could then be directed toward funding a compulsory health education curriculum. This curriculum, he believes, is essential for educating young people about healthy lifestyles and preventative care.
Beyond nutritional and educational reforms, Reinhardt also addressed the increasingly pervasive influence of technology on children’s development. He strongly advocated for a complete ban on mobile phone use within school premises, arguing that schools should be protected spaces dedicated to learning, personal growth and social interaction, free from the constant distraction of platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp.
While supporting limitations on device usage in schools, Reinhardt cautioned against a blanket social media ban for those under 16, a model currently being implemented in Australia. Recognizing the potential for positive social connection and the necessity of fostering digital literacy among young people, he maintained that outright prohibition is not a sustainable or desirable solution, underscoring the importance of teaching children and adolescents to navigate digital media responsibly. The debate underscores a growing tension within German society: how to protect the health and well-being of future generations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
