Saxony Skin Cancer Surge Drives New Prevention Campaign for Teenagers

Saxony sees white skin cancer diagnoses surge from 32,000 to 98,000 in 20 years, prompting 'simply U' campaign for teens. Schools in Germany and Austria launch back-health, concentration, and conflict resolution programs.

Cases of white skin cancer in Saxony have more than tripled over the past two decades, jumping from 32,000 diagnoses in 2005 to 98,000 in 2023. That stark increase prompted the Saxony Cancer Society and the Barmer health insurance fund to launch “simply U” on June 5, a prevention campaign aimed squarely at teenagers. Running until 2028, the project targets 13- to 16-year-olds with education on sun protection and early detection. Nationwide, Germany records roughly 240,000 new white skin cancer cases and 28,000 new black skin cancer cases each year.

While that campaign addresses a growing public health threat, schools across the German-speaking region are juggling a range of other health and education initiatives. At the Ybbsitz elementary school, pupils in second grade wrapped up a long-running back-health program on June 7. Under the guidance of physiotherapist René Dickinger, they completed several sessions focused on posture and healthy movement — a fixture of the school’s curriculum for years. Meanwhile, the University of Education Styria and the Bad Radkersburg vocational school teamed up for a project called “Fit im Kopf” (Fit in the Head), using targeted movement breaks to sharpen concentration among both students and teachers. In Maria Lankowitz, schools introduced a new subject in early June: “Wironautik.” Developed by educator Nina Wipfler, the curriculum covers conflict resolution, respect, and community building, with the aim of embedding violence prevention and personality development into the school system.

Several schools also earned recognition this period. The Naturpark-Mittelschule in Kohfidisch became Austria’s first certified “Talent School,” leveraging virtual reality technologies for career orientation. On the prize front, the 2026 German Teacher Award added a new category: “Starke Grundschule” (Strong Elementary School). The ceremony is scheduled for November 30, 2026, in Berlin, and applications are open until the end of June.