Karoline Herfurth becomes NAKO ambassador

Karoline Herfurth is not only a well-known figure in front of and behind the camera. As of today, the multi-talented actress is one of the ambassadors of the German National Cohort (NAKO).

“When I first heard about the NAKO long-term study, I was impressed that something like this even existed. More than 200,000 participants in the study, over 18 study centres throughout Germany … and all on a voluntary, honorary basis. Remarkable!” says the artist, explaining her decision to stand up for science.

“I have always held commitments that serve the common good in particularly high regard. I firmly believe that great progress can be made in the treatment of chronic diseases through this unique study.”

Karoline Herfurth, Actress

This commitment runs like a common thread through the work of the 38-year-old, who is committed to issues of social importance and scope – with humour and ease. The audience is entertained and at the same time confronted with central questions of our time and society. “Karoline Herfurth sets important signals with charm and bravura,” says Professor Dr Henry Völzke, Chairman of the NAKO Board of Directors. “And the fact that she is involved as an ambassador for science means a lot to us all”.

The German National Cohort (NAKO) is part of the cutting-edge research in Germany, and the federal and state governments and the Helmholtz Association have provided a large financial support package. The next phase will begin in May, during which the NAKO participants will be invited to the study centres for the third time. ‘We are deeply grateful to all our participants for supporting research and thus the health of tomorrow since 2014,’ explains PD Dr Kerstin Wirkner, spokesperson for the study centre directors of the German National Cohort (NAKO).

More information

Press contact:

Dr. Friederike Fellenberg
NAKO Gesundheitsstudie
Head of Project and Science Communication
Am Taubenfeld 21/2
69123 Heidelberg
Germany
Phone.: +49 6221 42620-62
E-mail: friederike.fellenberg@nako.de

German National Cohort (NAKO)

The German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie) is the largest long-term population study in Germany. Since 2014, over 205,000 randomly selected people have been medically examined and asked about their lifestyle habits in 18 study centres. At the beginning of the study, the participants were aged between 20 and 69.

The German National Cohort (NAKO) is a prospective epidemiological cohort study. The researchers observe a large group, a so-called cohort, of healthy, ill or formerly ill people over a long period of time. The aim is to use scientific analyses of the participants’ data to investigate the frequency and causes of common diseases such as cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, to identify risk factors and to show ways of effective prevention and early detection.

The research project is supported by 26 organisations. Scientists from universities, the Helmholtz Association, the Leibniz Association and other research institutes in Germany are working together in a nationwide network. The study is being carried out by the NAKO e.V. association. It is financed by public funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Helmholtz Association and the participating federal states.