Health trajectories in a rapidly changing world
Munich Sep 3—4 2026
International
NAKO Conference
2026
International NAKO Conference 2026
Dear colleagues,
in times of rapid societal, environmental, and technological change, public health has become one of our greatest global challenges. Chronic diseases, mental health, climate impacts, and the COVID-19 pandemic shape our lives and health systems in complex, interconnected ways. Understanding these dynamics requires large-scale, longitudinal, and deeply phenotyped data that reflect real lives, across generations and regions.
The population-based German National Cohort (NAKO) includes 200,000 participants at baseline with follow-up examinations every 5 years. The NAKO allows to investigate the risk factors and causes of major diseases, to develop prevention strategies and guide policy decisions.
Our first International NAKO Conference 2026 invites researchers from around the world to share insights, build collaborations, and chart the future of population health research together. We believe that challenges of our time can only be addressed through joint efforts, open exchange, and global cooperation.
Your Scientific Board
Marie-Theres Huemer, Wolfgang Lieb, Annette Peters, Tobias Pischon, Tamara Schikowski
Register now
Register now to participate in the International NAKO Conference in Munich free of charge!
Submit your abstract
The call for abstracts is now closed. Notifications regarding the acceptance or rejection of submitted abstracts have been sent out. If you have any queries, please contact conference@nako.de.
Date
September 3rd, 2026, 11:30 a.m. –
September 4th, 2026, 1:15 p.m.
Information about the International NAKO Conference 2026
Inspiring Keynotes
Albert Hofman
Beate Ritz
Paul Elliott
Research Highlights
Cohorts all over the world
Other population-based cohorts from around the world are invited to present a profile of their cohort study in a dedicated poster session. More information on the abstract submission is available below under “Call for Abstracts and Registration”.
NAKO highlight results
Researchers will present their newest findings and innovative research projects using NAKO data. A specific focus will lie on longitudinal data from NAKO including the 5-year follow-up examination and health follow-up surveys. More information on the abstract submission is available below under “Call for Abstracts and Registration”.
Outlook on the future of NAKO
Get the newest insights on upcoming data releases such as omics, planned research projects and data collection, and the future of the NAKO study.
Call for Abstracts and Registration
Registration for conference participation starts on February 16, 2026. Conference participation is free of charge.
The abstract submission will open from February 16 until April 15, 2026. Decisions will be sent out until May 29, 2026.
Important note: If you submit an abstract, please register additionally for the participation at the International NAKO Conference using our registration form! Your abstract submission will be processed separately and does not constitute registration for participation.
The abstract should be limited to 400 words and include the following sections: Background, Aims, Methods, Results, Conclusion.
There are two options for abstract submission:
- NAKO data: Abstracts that include data from the NAKO. Abstracts only including NAKO data and abstracts including NAKO data together with data from other studies can be submitted.
- General profile / cohort design of another population-based cohort study: Abstracts that generally describe the profile of another population-based cohort of any country/countries or region from around the world. Only abstracts from other population-based cohorts that describe the overall cohort design and, if applicable, general findings will be considered for presentation. Abstracts that describe a specific research project using data other than NAKO cannot be considered for presentation.
The abstract submission is for poster presentations. Some abstracts may be selected for a talk (oral presentation). All submissions will be reviewed as part of a peer review process.
We look forward to receiving your submission and to your participation in the conference!
Visit the Knowledge Fair 'Discover NAKO'
At the Knowledge Fair ‘Discover NAKO’, conference participants can engage directly with NAKO administration, infrastructure, researchers, and NAKO expert groups to discuss general questions, specific research ideas, and practical applications. You will gain insights into available data, use and access policy, and the application process for using NAKO data. Take the chance to explore what NAKO has to offer, get insights on new data releases, network, and start new collaborations.
The Knowledge Fair ‘Discover NAKO’ will take place on September 3rd lasting one hour and will be set up in the conference center with interactive information desks on topics such as:
- How to apply for NAKO data?
- Endpoint validation
- Biosamples and Biorepository
- Environmental Data Unit
- Record linkage (incl. mortality follow-up)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- OMICS
- NAKO Expert groups: lung diseases, diabetes/metabolic diseases, artificial intelligence, cardiovascular diseases, and many more
(Subject to change)
Templates für your Contribution
You are warmly invited to use the following templates for your contribution to the conference. Posters and presentations designed in line with your own institution’s branding are also permitted.
Accommodation in Munich
Contact Organisation
For any questions regarding the conference, feel free to contact the NAKO Conference Team: conference@nako.de
Organizing Team
NAKO e.V.
Katharina Koch
Friederike Fellenberg I Oliver Gibler
Nicole Memmer
Helmholtz Munich
Marie-Therese Huemer I Michael Stein
Susanne Göttlicher
Edith Bachmayer
The International NAKO Conference is organised by NAKO e.V. The event is hosted by Helmholtz Munich.
Open Call for reviewers
The Scientific Board of the International NAKO Conference cordially invites Scientists to register as a reviewer for the abstracts submitted for presentation at the International NAKO Conference 2026.
Programme
Here you will find the programme for the International NAKO Conference 2026 (subject to change).
You can also download the programme as a PDF file here.
| Time (CEST) | Location | |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Registration | Foyer, ground floor |
| 12:30 – 13:00 |
Welcome Annette Peters, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the NAKO e.V. |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
| 13:00 – 13:45 |
Keynote 1 ‘Cohort studies will have an even greater impact on future medicine than in the past’. Was Richard Doll right? — Albert Hofman, Chair Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
| 13:45 – 14:15 |
NAKO RESEARCH SESSION 1 The Interplay Between Cognitive Function and Sleep Patterns in Relation to Mortality Among Older Adults in Germany: Evidence from NAKO Data — Jayanta Bora, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e. V. (DZNE) Regional differences in associations of adherence to a Mediterranean and a Nordic diet with all-cause mortality — Paula Stürmer, Kiel University |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
| 14:15 – 14:25 | Teaser for the Knowledge Fair “Discover NAKO” |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
|
14:25 – 14:40 |
Coffee Break |
Foyer, ground floor |
| 14:40 – 16:00 |
Knowledge Fair “Discover NAKO” At the NAKO Knowledge Fair, conference participants can engage directly with NAKO administration, infrastructure, researchers, and NAKO expert groups to discuss general questions, specific research ideas, and practical applications. You will gain insights into available data, use and access policy, and the application process for using NAKO data. Take the chance to explore what NAKO has to offer, get insights on new data releases, network, and start new collaborations. The NAKO Knowledge Fair will be set up in the conference center with interactive information desks on topics such as:
|
Seminar rooms, ground floor |
| 16:00 – 16:30 |
NAKO Research Session 2 Impact of Incidental Findings in Whole-Body MRI Examinations within the German National Cohort — Jeremias Doll, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg White Matter Lesion topography links to cardiovascular risk through arterial territory vulnerability — Tatiana Miller, Heinrich Heine University |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
| 16:30 – 16:45 | Coffee break | Foyer, ground floor |
| 16:30 – 17:30 |
Poster session – “Cohorts all over the world” Other population-based cohorts from around the world are invited to present a profile of their cohort study in a dedicated poster session. |
Foyer, ground floor |
| 17:30 – 18:15 |
Keynote 2 Beate Ritz, Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology, Environmental Health, and Neurology at the Fielding School of Public Health, DG School of Medicine, UCLA |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
| 18:15 – 19:15 |
Tour to the NAKO Biorepository at Helmholtz Munich (5 min walk from the congress center) Registration is required. |
Meeting point: In front of the conference center |
|
Time (CEST) |
|
Location |
|
09:00 – 09:45 |
Pre-conference session (choose one)
Please choose one of the events. Registration is required. |
(1) Main lecture hall, 1st floor (2) Meeting point: In front of the conference center |
|
09:45 – 10:30 |
Keynote 3 Paul Elliott, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, United Kingdom and founding member of the UK Biobank |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
|
10:30 – 11:30 |
NAKO Research Session 3 Differences in cancer incidence rates by ascertainment methods in UKB and NAKO (12 min) — Thu Thi Pham, University of Oxford Impacts of Long-Term Air Temperature and Air Pollution Exposure on Respiratory Disease Incidence in a German-wide Cohort — Brooke Ury, Helmholtz Munich Cross-sectional Relation of a Lifestyle Risk Index, Visceral Adiposity, and Glycemic Status: Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) & German National Cohort (NAKO) — Gertraud Maskarinec, University of Hawaii |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
|
11:30 – 12:30 |
Lunch poster session – NAKO research Researchers will present their newest findings and innovative research projects using NAKO data. |
Foyer, ground floor |
|
12:30 – 13:00 |
NAKO Research Session 3 Who Adhered to the Rules? Social Distancing, Mask Wearing and Risk Perception During the COVID-19 Crisis – Insights from a Cross-National European Collaboration — Dmitry Bulaev, Luxembourg Institute of Health Cardiovascular remodelling, respiratory tract infections, and SARS-CoV-2 risk: a comparative analysis of the NAKO and UK Biobank cohorts — Annika Fischer, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
|
13:00 – 13:15 |
Closing remarks Annette Peters, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the NAKO e.V. |
Main lecture hall, 1st floor |
Research newsletter
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