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. 2024 Mar 13;9(Suppl 2):2-21.
doi: 10.25646/11992.2. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Health in Germany: Establishment of a population-based health panel

Johannes Lemcke  1 , Julika Loss  1 , Jennifer Allen  1 , Ilter Öztürk  1 , Marcel Hintze  1 , Stefan Damerow  1 , Tim Kuttig  1 , Matthias Wetzstein  1 , Claudia Hövener  1 , Ulfert Hapke  1 , Thomas Ziese  1 , Christa Scheidt-Nave  1 , Patrick Schmich  1
Affiliations

Health in Germany: Establishment of a population-based health panel

Johannes Lemcke et al. J Health Monit. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: The panel infrastructure Health in Germany, which is currently being set up, is geared towards the needs of public health research in Germany. The panel will consist of extensive probability and non-probability samples. This infrastructure will be used to collect survey data, measurement data and laboratory data to describe the health situation on an ongoing basis and make them available promptly.

Methods: For the initial drawing of the probability sample, the sampling frame of the residents' registration offices (EMA) established in Germany is used. The study design follows a mixed-mode approach in which the invited persons can choose whether to participate in the survey online or in paper form. Four surveys per year are planned for the regular operation of the panel (regular annual wave). Ad-hoc studies on specific topics or acute issues are also possible.

Conclusions: The panel provides a new infrastructure for continuous epidemiological studies to monitor the health of the population in Germany. This data basis strengthens the health monitoring and health reporting of the federal government, enabling a prompt and adaptable response to emerging data needs.

Keywords: DIGITISATION; HEALTH MONITORING; PANEL; PRIMARY DATA; PROBABILITY SAMPLE; PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE; RECRUITMENT.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest Patrick Schmich declares he has been delegated working for the Federal Ministry of Health since March 2023. The others authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of the invitation/recruitment process for the first recruitment study Source: Own figure
Figure 2
Figure 2
Illustration of the panel structure in regular operation Source: Own figure
Figure 3
Figure 3
Expansion stages of the Panel Health in Germany Source: Own figure
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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