Coordination Office for Health Equity Bremen

The third Bremen Poverty and Wealth Report (2021) and the State Health Report (2019) highlight the health differences between socially disadvantaged and privileged residential areas in the state of Bremen: For example, premature mortality and an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among children of school entry age in disadvantaged neighborhoods are documented.

To support networking on health-related issues at the state level, the first Coordination Centers for Health Equity (KGC) (formerly "Regional Hubs") were established as early as 2004. Based on the Prevention Act of 2015, the KGC have been strengthened and expanded in all federal states since 2016.

Goals

The work of the Bremen Coordination Centre (KGC) aims to strengthen equal health opportunities for people in difficult life situations in Bremen and Bremerhaven.

This includes:

• Raising awareness of the issue of health equity, especially regarding health promotion among and with vulnerable groups of people,
• the visualization and transfer of impulses from science as well as projects and examples of good practice in health promotion,
• Strengthening municipal and neighborhood-based health promotion and prevention,
• Support in building municipal and district-based network structures on the topic of health, as well as in cross-departmental networking between existing services and structures and
• Continuous quality development and assurance in health promotion and prevention.

The core activities of KGC Bremen include, among others, the following key areas of focus:

• Municipal strategies and networks are supported: On the one hand, stakeholders are qualified, for example through training courses and conferences. On the other hand, KGC Bremen facilitates networking and supports the development of network structures (for example at the district level).
• Regional and/or state-level networks are coordinated and/or cooperation with them takes place: KGC Bremen coordinates the "Men's Health" roundtable and collaborates in various networks. Within this framework, it contributes its expertise on the topic of socially relevant health promotion.
• Quality development and assurance are applied and strengthened in health promotion and prevention: This includes, for example, creating transparency through lectures and providing materials, while workshops and the use of good practice criteria create and achieve incentives for raising awareness and providing training. Furthermore, the "Health in Practice!" training series offers practical insights and discussions. KGC Bremen provides initial consultations for the planning and implementation of measures and projects (for example, within the framework of process support).
• The implementation of the state framework agreement in the state of Bremen is supported by the KGC. This support includes participation in events organized by the GKV alliance, as well as involvement in the Bremen state's Prevention Strategy Forum and the Bremen GKV Alliance Working Group for Health.
• Another key component is public relations. The online newsletter "Social Situation and Health in the State of Bremen" has established itself as an important medium for highlighting current developments in this field, as well as publications and events.

KGC Bremen is a member of the nationwide cooperation network for health equity. 

Project duration: Project start: June 1, 2015 (expanded since 2016)

Supporters

• Statutory Health Insurance Alliance for Health 
• Federal Institute for Public Health

Cooperation partners:

• Statutory Health Insurance Alliance for Health
• Federal Institute for Public Health
• Office of the ARGE GKV Alliance for Health Bremen
• Cooperation Network for Health Equity
• Senator for Health, Women and Consumer Protection Bremen
• Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration