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patient in hospital bed with two medical staff
Image: Jens Büttner/dpa/picture allianceImage: Jens Büttner/dpa/picture alliance

German health system

The health care system in Germany is organized partly at the state level and partly at the private level. The structure is strongly influenced by the country's federalist system.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Deutschland | Frauenmilchbank Uniklinik Frankfurt am Main

Breast milk banks: Vital support for premature babies

Breast milk banks: Vital support for premature babies

Mother's breasts often produce too little milk after a C-section. Now, a breast milk bank can help.
HealthDecember 18, 202402:42 min
Dr. Alaa Aldarf, dressed in blue doctor's scrubs, speaks to DW. Medical equipment is seen in the background.

Syrian doctors essential for German health care system

Syrian doctors essential for German health care system

After the fall of the Assad regime, the German government wants Syrian doctors like Alaa Aldarf to stay.
ConflictsDecember 17, 202402:46 min
Woman sitting alone on a sofa hugging herself

Loneliness spreads in Germany

Loneliness spreads in Germany

Loneliness is increasingly becoming a problem among young people in Germany and can have a serious impact on health.
HealthDecember 11, 2024
Fokus Europa Deutschland Therapiehunde

Therapy dog Little Joe helps German students

Therapy dog Little Joe helps German students

A small dog is helping students cope with stress in their everyday lives.
HealthDecember 9, 202405:11 min
An 2014 archive image of surgeons performing intervertebral disc surgery on the lumbar spine

Germany begins major reform of its hospital sector

Germany begins major reform of its hospital sector

Germany is forging ahead with a plan to slash the number of hospitals and digitalize bureaucracy.
HealthNovember 22, 2024
DW In Good Shape Sendungslogo

Living with a colostomy bag

Living with a colostomy bag

Philipp Stehler is frank about his chronically inflamed colon. His ordeal included having a stoma.
ScienceNovember 8, 202404:02 min
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

German doctor talking to a patient

Germany's health care system has a language problem

Germany is a multilingual society, but access to health care is often frustrating for people who don't speak German.
SocietyNovember 3, 2024
A social media search for the term menopause on a smartphone

Menopause: German lawmakers push to break a taboo

One year before the general election, lawmakers have taken up the issue of menopause, hoping to attract female voters.
HealthOctober 24, 2024
An ambulance rushing through the busy streets of Düsseldorf

Germany's ailing emergency health care service needs revamp

In emergencies, the chances of survival in Germany vary greatly across the country — despite high health expenditures.
HealthJuly 21, 2024
Filipino nurses walking in a hospital in the Netherlands

Germany eyes Filipino nurses to ease labor shortage

Will Germany follow the United Kingdom and bring more Filipino nurses into its health care system?
BusinessMarch 14, 2024
A computer-generated illustration of in-vitro fertilization.

Women in Germany demand better access to fertility treatment

Infertility affects one in six women in Germany. However, access to reproductive medicine is not available to all.
SocietyFebruary 10, 2024
A black banner held in the stands of Karlsruhe's Wildparkstadion reads "Kevin forever!"

Depression in football: The fan groups fighting the taboo

In Germany, fans are taking matters into their own hands in supporting their fellow fans with mental health issues.
SportsMay 25, 2023
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