The West German Center for General Medicine (WZA) has been established at the University of Cologne and the University Hospital Cologne, marking the launch of a new initiative dedicated to shaping the future of primary healthcare through a lens of sustainability. The center positions itself as a think tank for economically and ecologically responsible healthcare, with a particular focus on prevention and regional care innovation.
Under the leadership of Professor Dr. Beate Müller, Director of the Institute of General Medicine at the University Hospital Cologne, the WZA combines scientific expertise with clinical experience to develop new models of healthcare delivery. The initiative integrates economic, ecological, and social dimensions to promote long-term resilience within the healthcare system.
The center aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between general medicine, health economics, sustainability research, and policy, working toward innovative care models tailored to the needs of North Rhine-Westphalia.