© Tobias Koch
The Virchow Prize, endowed with €500,000 this year, is awarded to Lucy Gilson and Johan Rockström for significant contributions towards safeguarding human and planetary health
Berlin, September 17, 2024 – The President of the German Bundestag reconfirmed as High Patron for the Virchow Prize in 2024. President Bas’s ongoing support for this leading international global health award highlights the commitment to health, equity and social justice; values Bärbel Bas has championed throughout her tenure as President of the German Bundestag. This patronage further elevates the national and international profile of the prize and underscores Germany’s commitment to the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals, the SDGs.
This year’s laureates of the Virchow Prize, Lucy Gilson and Johan Rockström, are celebrated for their pioneering holistic research and important contributions related to efficient health systems and the decisive role of climate and planetary boundaries to preserve the conditions for healthy lives on our planet earth. Both laureates are shining examples of how progress can be achieved by interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral science in the spirit of award’s namesake, Rudolf Virchow, and the SDGs.
“My heartfelt congratulations to Lucy Gilson and Johan Rockström for receiving the Virchow Prize 2024. Lucy Gilson works to govern and lead health systems to ensure all people have access to good health care. Johan Rockström researches how we can live in harmony with nature to ensure our health. These topics are crucial for shaping global health policy. Moreover, both laureates align their excellent research with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. I am pleased the independent Virchow Prize Committee has made clear the importance of addressing global health issues holistically towards creating a healthier and fairer world”, said Bärbel Bas, High Patron of the Virchow Prize.
The Virchow Prize 2024 Award Ceremony with 250 international high-level guests from all sectors is held at Rotes Rathaus, the Berlin City Hall, on Saturday, October 12, at 17:00 CET. The festive event will be opened by the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, and livestreamed.
More information on the award and the official laureate announcement: virchowprize.org
Download the PDF-version of the press release here.
About the Virchow Foundation
The non-profit Virchow Foundation was established in 2021 with support of the Presidents of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities as well as Members of the German Bundestag and civil society to contribute to the improvement of health worldwide. Through the joint commitment of highly respected international individuals and organisations, the close partnership with the World Health Summit, and the establishment of the Virchow Prize, the Virchow Foundation is actively committed to ‘health for all’.
About the Virchow Prize
As international award annually celebrated in Berlin, the Virchow Prize is granted by the Virchow Foundation and endowed with €500,000. Rudolf Virchow, inspiration and namesake of the prize, is a symbol and role model for the urgently needed holistic approach to improve health for all. In this spirit, the Virchow Prize intends to further strengthen our efforts to a better future by honouring groundbreaking research, innovations and achievements upholding the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals, specifically addressing SDG 3 “Health and Well-Being for All”.
For media representatives
Accreditation for media representatives to attend the Virchow Prize 2024 Award Ceremony is open until October 10, 2024. Please use the dedicated form available at virchowprize.org/communications-kit/
Contact
Steffi Gasteiger (she/her), Communications & Partnership Manager, Virchow Foundation, press@virchow.foundation
