Reducing diseases

Lauterbach plans vouchers for preventive care

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wants to reduce the number of cardiovascular diseases in the country. To this end, he is planning vouchers for preventive check-ups, which can be used to determine blood values, for example.

"We want to use a voucher system throughout Germany to encourage children and young people, 25-year-olds, 35-year-olds and 50-year-olds to have their blood pressure measured, including the risk factor of diabetes," the German health minister told Bild am Sonntag on Sunday.

The vouchers would later be processed via the electronic patient file. If the values are conspicuous, people could start treatment via their GPs.

Germany's Health Minister Karl Lauterbach(Bild: AFP)

Cardiovascular diseases "preventable"
 Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in our neighboring country. According to Lauterbach, almost 90 percent of cases of the disease could be avoided. There are now very effective and inexpensive drugs such as statins that can significantly reduce cholesterol levels. The earlier treatment is started, the better. If a family is burdened, it is important to start with children.

Fees for smoking cessation
The Minister of Health is also planning to expand services to help smokers quit. Doctors are to receive a fee for this. "(...) Then it can become something, then we will move people."

Last October, the politician had already announced that undetected high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and other risk factors for heart attacks and strokes should be detected and treated earlier. He consulted with experts such as doctors and announced a draft law to this effect.