Exclusive insights from the Health Inspiration Conference 2025: AI trends, longevity strategies and digital transformation in German healthcare.

The Longevity Gap: When Biology and Life Expectancy Diverge

"In 1925, the average age of menopause was 57 and women's life expectancy was 59. Today, the average age is 51 and women's life expectancy is 84." These figures from Dr. Valerie Kirchberger, Co-CEO and founder of Evela Health GmbH, highlighted an important point at the 2nd Health Inspiration Conference on November 13, 2025 in Leipzig.

When I arrived at the morning reception with breakfast snacks at the venue on Hainstraße, I expected a day full of practical discussions about the future of German healthcare. The conference organized by Susanne Pollak (Managing Director, Gesundheitsforen Leipzig GmbH) and the Unboxing Healthcare founders Dr. Tobias Krick and Björn Zeien brought together experts from various fields.

Longevity Begins in Menopause: A Paradigm Shift

Dr. Valerie Kirchberger's presentation "Healthy Longevity for Women" made it clear: biological protection ends 30 years before life ends. "The most important topics besides regular exercise are: weight training, high-fiber, protein-rich healthy eating and menopausal hormone therapy," she explained with regard to bone density, vascular protection, cognition, mood and metabolism.

Her presentation struck a nerve and confirmed my own experience: "It's a drama that menopausal symptoms and the measures against them are so poorly communicated. Every woman suddenly falls into an estrogen hole and runs from doctor to doctor with countless complaints." The consequences are serious – not only for the healthcare system, but also for employers and the entire economy.

Dr. Kirchberger confirmed a structural problem: menopausal symptoms are not yet taught in medical school. The result: many women are incorrectly or not informed at all. Only through their own research – often after reading several specialist books – can those affected make informed decisions about their health. But what if you don't have access to specialist literature and health literacy is low?

This was a term that came up repeatedly: lack of health literacy due to lack of information and education. A systemic problem that goes far beyond menopause.

The subsequent interactive panel discussion "Longevity vs. Prevention from the Health Insurance Perspective" with Andrea Galle (Board Member, mkk – meine krankenkasse) and Dr. Anke Schlieker (Project Manager Health Care, PKV Association of Private Health Insurance) illuminated this perspective from the payer's point of view.

AI Potential Without Data Risk: The Balancing Act Succeeds

René Herzer's presentation "AI in Healthcare: How to harness the enormous potential of AI without endangering patient data?" showed that this apparent contradiction is solvable. The founder and managing director of basebox GmbH demonstrated practical approaches for the safe use of AI technologies.

The subsequent Inspiration Tables offered the perfect opportunity for in-depth discussions. Partners such as Deutsche Telekom MMS GmbH, adesso SE, azuma healthtech GmbH and TEDIRO Healthcare Robotics GmbH shared their practical experiences in hospitals, statutory and private health insurance, and the pharmaceutical industry.

ePA for All: Germany's Digital Health Leap

After the joint lunch, Brenya Adjei, member of the management board of gematik GmbH, provided clarity about the electronic patient record (ePA) with her presentation "Transforming Healthcare: Perspectives and Impulses from gematik Management."

Since the beginning of 2025, the ePA has been automatically set up for all statutory health insurance members – unless they actively object. The roadmap for 2026 is ambitious: electronic medication plan, push notifications, full-text search, secondary use of pseudonymized data for research, and mobile access to the telematics infrastructure for telemedicine and home visits.

Tearing Down Walls: The Future of Sector Boundaries

The panel discussion "The Longevity of Healthcare – How can we make healthcare more human-centered?" brought together high-caliber experts: Brenya Adjei, Dr. med. Peter Gocke (Head of Digital Transformation Staff Unit, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin) and Corinna Beutel (Board Representative and Business Unit Manager, AOK Sachsen-Anhalt).

Particularly memorable was Jascha Rinke's answer to Dr. Tobias Krick's question about what he would change in the system: "I would tear down the wall between outpatient and inpatient sectors. I don't mean abolishing both levels. But the rigid separation must go, so that service providers can flexibly network where concrete needs arise."

Dr. Gocke added: "We definitely need more telemedicine." Corinna Beutel put it succinctly: "Digital must always support analog."

AI Pioneer AOK Bayern: "Those Who Wait Fall Behind"

Dr. Thomas Pöppe, Head of Digitalization, IT and Processes at AOK Bayern, proved with his presentation "From Regulations to Results: How Statutory Health Insurance Creates Efficiency and Ensures Care with AI" that German health insurance companies can indeed be AI pioneers.

His clear message: "The competition doesn't sleep – those who wait fall behind. We had to catch up with 'Digital,' with 'AI' we will be at the forefront!" This attitude shows how the mentality in German healthcare is changing.

Robots as Physiotherapists: Innovation Against Staff Shortage

An interesting insight came from TEDIRO Healthcare Robotics: Their therapy and diagnostic robot THERY supports patients in self-directed gait training with forearm crutches. Given the dramatic shortage of physiotherapists, this is an important development.

The mobile therapy platform provides correction suggestions and accompanies patients during independent practice – a CE-certified solution that is already available on the EU market.

Young Leadership in Focus: Inspiration for the Next Generation

The conclusion was a live podcast recording "The Hospital of the Future" with the theme "Leadership of the Future in Hospitals." Dr. Tobias Krick conducted an inspiring conversation with Milena Mack, deputy managing director of Stiftung Hospital zum Heiligen Geist.

Mack's authentic way of speaking and her clear visions left no doubt as to why she already holds a leadership position at a young age. Her perspectives on modern hospital management were refreshing and forward-looking.

My Key Takeaways

After an intensive conference day, four central insights crystallized for me:

First: Digitalization in healthcare is no longer future music, but present reality. The ePA for all and AI applications like those at AOK Bayern show: Germany is catching up.

Second: Sector boundaries are increasingly becoming obstacles. The demand for more flexible structures between outpatient and inpatient care is getting louder.

Third: Prevention must be rethought. Dr. Kirchberger's longevity approach for women is just one example of how evidence-based medicine challenges traditional ways of thinking.

Fourth: Health literacy is the key. The information deficit regarding menopausal symptoms exemplifies how important well-founded education is for effective healthcare – and how problematic it becomes when people don't have access to reliable information.

Outlook: Connect with the Healthcare Community

The Health Inspiration Conference has shown that German healthcare is ready for the next digitalization push. The combination of professional expertise, practical solution approaches, and the courage for new paths gives hope.

Are you ready for digital transformation in your healthcare organization? Let's work together to translate the insights from this conference into concrete steps. Contact us for an informal exchange about AI potential in your area.

For more information about the Health Inspiration Conference, visit www.gesundheitsforen.net