German Olympic Sports Confederation welcome Prevention Act recognising sport as a partner in healthcare

The German Olympic Sports Confederation have welcomed the implementation of the Prevention Act ©DOSB

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) have welcomed the adoption of the Prevention Act by the Bundestag, recognising sport as a partner in healthcare.

The law is based on promoting health promotion among all ages, focussing on all aspects of society in the country and aiming to increase the prevention of the general public developing illness like diabetes by encouraging them to have a healthier lifestyle with plenty of exercise.

All social security institutions and communities are viewed to have the shared goal to focus on prevention, with the law seen as a key measure towards curbing lifestyle-related endemic diseases, which, in addition to diabetes, includes hypertension, obesity or cardiovascular weaknesses.

"Sports is confirmed by the now adopted law as a professional, reliable and recognised partner for the healthcare system,” said DOSB vice-president Walter Schneeloch.

“With its 98 member organisations, over 90,000 clubs and its 8.6 million committed volunteers the DOSB will continue to make a valuable contribution to improving public health and increase it on the basis of this law yet.”

Schneeloch believes one of the key aspects of the law, which exists as part of the Social Code Book V, is the mention of specific measures such as Sport for Health, which sees sports clubs and associations guarantee high quality offerings to encourage non-sportsman to participate, and health exercise programmes.

The act will see more provisions made to sport, aimed at reducing lifestyle related diseases ©Bongarts/Getty Images

Under the terms of the law health insurance companies will be able to afford bonuses for staff whom participate in health promoting services, such as undertaking exercise programmes in club gym’s in the future or by depositing towards their German Sports Badge, a scheme which rewards people with either gold, silver or bronze badges as a result of taking part in excercise.

Additionally the law will see the increase of funding for health promotion and health prevention in an attempt to double its performance as from 2016 the current provision of €3.09 ($3.49/£2.20) per individual insured will rise to €7 ($7.91/£4.99).

Health insurance companies will also continue to invest at least €490 million ($554 million/£350 million) per year in prevention, with nursing care insurances funds expected to reach €21 million ($24 million/£15 million).

In the future €511 million ($578 million/£365 million) a year is ready to be invested in health promotion, focusing on preventive measures, developing services, improving workplace health promotion, in addition to increasing occupational health and safety.