German Sports Clubs and Insurers Team Up to Reward Healthy Living, While Digital Health Law Looms
02.07.2026 - 15:06:37 | boerse-global.de
Germany’s health promotion landscape is shifting on several fronts this July. A new program lets amateur sports clubs earn cash rewards for offering health activities, while lawmakers push ahead with digital reforms and postpartum depression screening expands. At the same time, a dispute over long-term care funding threatens to stall a planned reform.
The AOK Rheinland/Hamburg launched its “Gesundheitsmeister” (Health Champion) program on July 1. From 22 applications, four member clubs were selected to participate, including the TSV Urdenbach and the Art Giants. These grassroots sports clubs can collect points for providing health-oriented courses and activities, with top rewards reaching up to 2,500 euros. The season runs through June 30, 2027.
Meanwhile, the “Sportwoche für Alle” (Sports Week for Everyone) has extended its registration deadline to July 15, 2026. The action week itself takes place from September 19 to 26, 2026, aiming to showcase the variety of sports offerings and encourage physical activity. On July 3, a stop of the Sportabzeichen-Tour (Sports Badge Tour) will take place in Freiburg.
Inclusion efforts are also in the spotlight. Applications for the WLSB Inclusion Prize 2026 remain open until July 26. The award honors projects that improve participation for people with disabilities in sports.
On the medical front, statutory health insurers known as Betriebskrankenkassen have expanded their early detection services for postpartum depression starting July 1. A screening tool will be offered via a practice app during the U3 and U4 pediatric checkups. This is accompanied by the “UPlusE” study, which runs through December. The Bavarian state parliament had already petitioned in June to include such services in standard funding.
Digitalisation in healthcare is gaining momentum. The draft bill for the Health Data and Digital Innovation Act (GeDIG) includes expanding the electronic patient record (ePA) and banning fax transmissions for medical data. During a stakeholder consultation, occupational physicians demanded equal access rights to the ePA for company doctors.
Amid these expansions, the DAK-Gesundheit has called for postponing the planned long-term care reform. The health insurer estimates that proposed contribution cuts for caring relatives would cost the pension fund around 1.8 billion euros annually. A draft law includes spending brakes, which the cabinet is expected to discuss soon, though the exact timeline remains uncertain.
