Dr. med. Wolf Lütje, President DGPFG German Society for Psychosomatic OB/GYN published in „Ärztliche Psychotherapie und Psychosomatische Medizin“ 2024;19:199 (www.aertzliche-psychotherapie.de)

No, at first glance this is not a book that seems compellingly worth reading from the title alone: yet another book about the coronavirus – surely we’ve all learned our lessons by now? And in English, no less.

On closer inspection, however, it becomes clear to the reader that this book only addresses central issues of global health in all their facets by way of example. The result is a meta-level blueprint for overcoming future and unfortunately expected crises facing humanity. Whether war, climate, infections – there must be regional but also global answers to everything, that go far beyond biological phenomena.

In addition to the WHO, it is above all the FIGO (which will soon have a German president) and the ISPOG (also under German presidency) which, alongside the DGPFG, is seeking a holistic approach to health care and has found it in many ways.

To stay on topic: the vaccine is one thing, but without the associated disease and its holistic consideration in terms of meaning, well-being and relationship, there can be no health.

If there is a particularly important target group in this regard, it is women, who are likely to shape this century like never before and will continue to do so. 

This book takes a multi-layered approach to women: whether it is about mental health, touch, family planning, birth, attachment, stress, violence, trauma or death, many international authors competently engage with these issues.

It is important that ethics, the pitfalls of the digitalised information society, the psychological challenges for a healthcare system and the basic idea of the biopsychosocial perspective have also been included and round off the book.

We have the editors to thank for helping to make the topic of the 20th ISPOG Congress 2022 in Vienna on sustainability and for admonishing us to remain vigilant after surviving the crisis and to prepare ourselves for new challenges in a multi-faceted way.

The future belongs not only to women, but also to a global and holistic view of health and illness. 

As the saying goes: ‘Health is the ability to live with disorders’.

The book helps comprehensively to deal with the next major disorders even better – even if, in such a case, not everyone can be saved, but at least they can be better accompanied and cared for. 

Click here to submit your abstract.

On behalf of the organizing committee of the 21st congress of the International Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISPOG), we invite you to join us at Omnibus Park, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, from April 3 – 5, 2025.

Since 1990, the Korean Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology (KSPOG) has been pivotal in advancing and globalizing this field. We’ve design a rich program with 2 plenary and 5 symposium sessions, exploring advanced research and in-depth studies on various connection issues between psychology and physiology. This year’s theme is “Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Globalized World”.

We welcome you to seize this unique opportunity to exchange experiences, share innovations, and forge new friendship during ISPOG 2025. Don’t miss out on our exciting evening social programs where you can connect with colleagues and unwind in the vibrant city of Seoul – a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. 

We are confident that ISPOG 2025 will be a memorable and enriching international event for all. Save the dates and keep an eye on our website for updates!

Find all other information about the congress on the congresswebsite: https://ispog2025.com

German perspective

The German perspective was published in a position paper, which was co-authored by the German Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, the Professional Association of Gynaecologists and a further 10 working groups and 6 specialist associations.
The following aspects are emphasised in the paper:
The environmental and climate crisis is the greatest threat to our health in the 21st century, affecting people worldwide to varying degrees. Vulnerable population groups, especially women and children, but also the elderly, the chronically ill and the socially disadvantaged, are increasingly suffering from the effects, as are future generations. Pregnant women, newborns and young children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of heat stress and dehydration due to their limited ability to adapt. An American meta-analysis of numerous studies on the effects of heat and particulate matter pollution on the course of pregnancy describes an increase in premature births of around 15%, low birth weight of around 30% and an increase in stillbirths of up to 14.5% (Bekkar et al. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3: e208242).

The healthcare system must be put in a position to absorb the health effects of the climate crisis, which will increase sharply in the coming years, and to meet the growing demands that this will bring. Medical professionals will increasingly have to focus on the prevention of diseases.
Gynaecologists, midwives and nurses in particular should work towards a sustainable transformation in the healthcare system. If we see ourselves as part of the solution, network and become active, we will achieve positive changes.
The position paper lists numerous proposals for action in the inpatient and outpatient care sector. In addition to the options for action for practices and clinics, the professional policy area is also discussed and, finally, the tasks in patient contact. Gynaecologists and midwives should use their expertise and patient contacts to provide climate-sensitive advice to particularly vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants and young children, as well as the chronically ill, the obese and the elderly, so that they can protect themselves from the consequences of heat stress, dehydration and air pollution, which are the main consequences of the climate crisis in Central Europe. (Bechert et al. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2024; 84: 319-24. DOI: 10.1055/a-2232-3981).

FIGO statement

The FIGO, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, has already established its own Committee on Climate Change and Toxic Environmental Exposures, which has highlighted the links between the climate crisis and health consequences, as well as providing clear guidance on the measures needed to protect the climate in our areas of work and on specific climate-friendly measures in clinics and practices. Read the full statement here: https://www.figo.org/news/statement-climate-crisis-and-health.

We hereby invite our members, especially those on the Executive Committee, to submit the statements, experiences and activities of their national societies to our Board for publication on our website.

Mechthild Neises-Rudolf, ISPOG President

The picture is drawn by Hinari Koizumi at 10 years old in ISPOG’s diamond jubilee year 2022. She is the granddaughter of dr. Hiroko Komura, former vice-president of the Japanese POG society.

In war and other situations of conflict, care for women and children is especially vulnerable and reproductive rights will be violated. Obstetric and gynaecologic care is more difficult under these circumstances and health care workers cannot do their jobs properly and may become victims of war themselves. Also, war and conflict-related migration are known to be associated with increased levels of gender-based violence, mental ill-health and human rights deprivations. Therefore, war has long-term and transgenerational implications for reproductive health.

Currently, the war in Ukraine, with the attendant civilian casualties, separation of families, and influx of refugees into neighbouring countries is one of these situations that abhors the world. It challenges the global community to be proactive in addressing the plight of vulnerable persons, particularly women and children.

The International Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISPOG) calls on governments and nongovernmental organisations to ensure the timely implementation of extant guidelines and interventions developed from the experiences of families and communities affected by warfare elsewhere in the world over the last three decades.

The impact of the covid-19 pandemic is not only influencing the topic of our conference, but also makes a date change necessary.

The new dates for the 20th ISPOG congress are 13-16 July 2022. 
The conference venue is still the Sigmund Freud University in Vienna.
The new deadline for abstract submission will be 30 March 2022.
We hope to see you all in summer 2022 in Vienna!

The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and still has, a profound impact on all of us,. Affecting the everyday life and professional activities of our patients and ourselves. The 20th Congress of the International Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISPOG) addresses this Impact in relation to the following topics in key lectures, symposia, master classes and workshops:

• (Post) pandemic world
• Pregnancy & Childbirth
• Research & Education
• Adolescence & Woman’s body
• Mind & Hormones
• Sexuality
• Reproductive medicine
• Eating disorders
• LGBT & Family
• Pyscho-oncology

The abstract submission deadline is set at December 15th 2021. Join us in the lovely city of Vienna, Austria.

Parallel to the 20th Congress of ISPOG, the 3-Länder-Tagung der Deutschen, Österreichischen und Schweizer Gesellschaften für Psychosomatik in Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe
will take place (the conference language for that conference is German).

More information about ISPOG 2022 can be found at www.ispog2022.org.

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