The graduate school "One Health Approach for Soil-Transmitted Helminths" (spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Susanne Hartmann) is researching solutions for the sustainable control of helminth infections. Soil-transmitted helminths are parasitic worms that are transmitted to humans and animals via soil contaminated with worm eggs. These infections are widespread in low- and middle-income countries, with one quarter of the world's population suffering from these chronic infections. Furthermore, due to the growing share of organic farming, these worm infections pose a major re-emerging risk to the health of our important livestock (pigs and chickens) in Europe as well. Extremely long-term soil contamination with infectious worm eggs is one of the problems associated with these infections. To date, the sustainable control of helminth infections is little studied. The RTG “One Health Approach for Soil-Transmitted Helminths” aims to close this research gap by taking a holistic approach to human and animal health and the associated environmental aspects (health system and socioeconomics).

The RTG 3096 will start in spring 2026.