Berlin, July 15, 2024 – The prestigious Virchow Prize 2024 will be awarded to Lucy Gilson and Johan Rockström for their significant contributions towards safeguarding human and planetary health. This highly coveted award, endowed with €500,000, is under the high patronage of the President of the German Bundestag and is given annually by the non-profit Virchow Foundation.
Gilson and Rockström have been recognized for their holistic and systems-based approach to promoting human well-being and sustainability. They have both demonstrated a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between health systems, environmental systems, and social systems. Their work aligns perfectly with the values of the Virchow Prize, which include human rights, solidarity, and equity, and their efforts contribute to the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals.
Lucy Gilson, a professor at the Health Policy and Systems Division at Cape Town University in South Africa and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK, has been a driving force in promoting transformative change towards more sustainable, resilient, and just governance. Her exceptional research and leadership have led to significant progress in achieving universal health coverage and equitable access to quality healthcare.
Johan Rockström, the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, a professor at Stockholm University in Sweden, and the Chief Scientist of Conservation International in the United States, is a pioneer in the field of planetary health. His groundbreaking work on the planetary boundaries framework has defined a safe operating space for humanity to thrive sustainably and responsibly in the future. This framework addresses critical processes such as climate change, biodiversity loss, freshwater use, and nutrient cycles, all of which have a direct impact on human health.
The influential research and advocacy of Gilson and Rockström have had a significant impact on global policy and provided a science-based framework for addressing diverse health challenges around the world. They have shown that a holistic and systemic approach to health is crucial for achieving the common goal of “Health for All.”
The 2024 Virchow Prize Award Ceremony, under the high patronage of German Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, will take place on October 12 at Berlin City Hall. More information about the Virchow Prize can be found on their website at virchowprize.org.
For media representatives, accreditation for the 2024 Award Ceremony is now open and will remain so until October 10. To register, please visit virchowprize.org/communications-kit/.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact Steffi Gasteiger, Communication & Partnerships Manager for the Virchow Foundation, at press@virchow.foundation or by phone at +49 152 28251093.
Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/
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