[Population medicine research in German public health authorities: a bibliometric analysis]

German public health authorities (PHAs) bear a specific responsibility in scientific and population-based medicine, requiring specialist medical doctor and public health expertise in order to assess risks and implement measures. The data-driven verification of interventions is fundamental to their legitimacy and efficient resource allocation. This study aims to provide an overview of the international research output of German PHAs and to delineate their networks.

Methodologically, an empirical-descriptive analysis of bibliometric PubMed data was conducted. Systematic searches identified publications with PHA affiliations, followed by data cleaning and network analyses at the institutional level, differentiated according to the inclusion of state-level institutions.

A total of 458 publications (excluding those with affiliations solely to state-level institutions) with a direct PHA connection were identified. PHA publication rates increased from approximately 2014, peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic and are currently declining. Research activities are heavily concentrated in a few PHAs, notably Frankfurt on the Main, Cologne, Stuttgart, Berlin and Regensburg, which are often well-networked, whilst the majority of the over 380 PHAs publish infrequently.

The findings confirm research activities within PHAs, albeit highly centralized. For enhanced visibility and the strengthening of research, a standardised affiliation designation ("Gesundheitsamt") and the establishment of teaching and research public health authorities are recommended to systematically integrate practice, teaching and research. Strengthening research capacities and networks is essential. Limitations include the focus on PubMed and the restriction to PHA affiliations.