Eckart von Hirschhausen (D)

Eckart von Hirschhausen

Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen (born August 25, 1967) is a well-known German physician, comedian, author, television presenter, and science journalist. He is famous for his unique ability to explain medical and scientific topics in a humorous, accessible way. Here are some key aspects of his life and career:

• Medical Background & Comedy: He studied medicine and science journalism in Berlin, London, and Heidelberg. For many years, he combined his medical background with stage comedy, touring with solo cabaret programs (such as Die Leber wächst mit ihren Aufgaben) and writing best-selling books about health, the human body, and psychology. In 2023, he officially ended his traditional stage-touring career to focus on other projects.
• Television Work: Hirschhausen has hosted numerous TV shows on German public television (ARD and WDR), including Wissen vor acht – Erde, Hirschhausens Sprechstunde, and various science documentaries.
• Climate and Health Activism: In recent years, he has shifted much of his focus toward climate change and its impact on human health. He is a co-founder of the Scientists for Future initiative and established the non-profit foundation "Gesunde Erde – Gesunde Menschen" (Healthy Earth – Healthy Humans) in 2020 to advocate for climate protection as a health issue.

• Honors: He serves as an honorary professor at the University of Marburg (focusing on climate change and medicine) and is an honorary member of the Charité hospital in Berlin.

The Foundation: "Gesunde Erde – Gesunde Menschen" (GEGM)

Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen founded the non-profit organization "Gesunde Erde – Gesunde Menschen"in March 2020 to campaign for Planetary Health (Planetare Gesundheit).

• The Core Philosophy: The foundation’s central motto is, "Gesunde Menschen gibt es nur auf einer gesunden Erde" ("There are no healthy humans on a unhealthy Earth"). Hirschhausen argues that environmental protection is fundamentally healthcare, because climate change, loss of biodiversity, and environmental destruction directly threaten human physical and mental well-being (through extreme heat, the spread of pathogens, malnutrition, and psychological stress).
• Goals & Work: GEGM works to bridge the gap between the medical community, politics, and the general public. It mobilizes doctors, nurses, and health institutions to advocate for climate action, provides science-based information (such as media toolkits on climate and health), and supports projects focused on sustainability and protecting our natural life support systems.

Bestselling Books

Hirschhausen has written numerous best-selling books that combine medical insights, psychology, and his signature humor, before shifting toward more systemic and environmental topics in his recent works. Some of his most prominent books include:

• Die Leber wächst mit ihren Aufgaben (2008): One of his most famous comedy-medical books, packed with hilarious insights into human anatomy, doctor-patient dynamics, and health myths.
• Glück kommt selten allein... (2009): A massive Spiegel-bestselling book exploring the science and philosophy of happiness, optimism, and what actually makes human beings content.
• Wunder wirken Wunder: Wie Medizin und Magie uns heilen (2016): A deeper look into the placebo effect, the mind-body connection, and the boundaries between conventional medicine, psychology, and alternative methods.
• Mensch, Erde! Wir könnten es so schön haben (2021): A major turning point in his bibliography, this book merges his medical expertise with his climate activism, breaking down the connection between ecological collapse and human health while offering hopeful, constructive solutions.
• Der Pinguin, der fliegen lernte (2025): Co-created with nature photographer Stefan Christmann, this visually striking book uses storytelling and nature to explore themes of resilience, protection of biodiversity, and finding one's place in the world.

Entwurf: Google Gemini. Datum: 13.09.26

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