Medical progress: Ulm researchers uncover discrimination!

Medical progress: Ulm researchers uncover discrimination!

Today, October 8, 2025, the Dr. Bertold Moos Prize to PD Dr. Tobias Skuban-Eiseler for his outstanding research on vulnerable groups in the healthcare system. The prize, which is endowed with 10,000 euros, highlights the importance of his habilitation thesis entitled “Vulnerable Groups in Medicine”. This work sheds light on the structural disadvantages that various population groups experience within the health system.

Skuban-Eiseler, specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy and research associate at the Institute for History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine at Ulm University, shows in his studies that HIV-positive people, people with mental and physical disabilities, people of different sexual orientations, older patients and trans people often have difficulties accessing adequate medical care. Under the scientific leadership of Professor Florian Steger and PD Dr. Marcin Orzechowski shows that these groups not only face discrimination, but also continue to experience significant limitations in healthcare.

The relevance of discrimination in healthcare

A recently published study entitled “Diagnosis of Discrimination,” commissioned by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, examines this long-overlooked topic. The study was carried out by the independent Federal Commissioner for Anti-Discrimination, Ferda Ataman, to Federal Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Handed over to Karl Lauterbach. It reveals that patients who are discriminated against usually cannot find an adequate contact point and often do not receive any support.

According to the study, there are only a few specialized advice centers for cases of discrimination in the healthcare system. In addition, the channels for complaints are often perceived as non-transparent and ineffective. The lack of clarity about the responsibilities of the various advice centers, such as health authorities, health insurance companies and patient representatives, contributes to the uncertainty of those affected.

Recommendations for action and future goals

In order to counteract discrimination in the healthcare system, the study offers several recommendations for action. These include increasing the visibility of counseling services in practices and hospitals, professionalizing the way in which discrimination is dealt with in contact points, and systematically recording and evaluating cases of discrimination. In addition, it is proposed to improve the legal options against discrimination and to extend protection against discrimination to certain treatment contracts.

Skuban-Eiseler, who completed a master's degree in ethics in 2022 and has been working at the Ulm Institute since then, emphasizes the urgent need to ensure fair medical care for all people. His award-winning work not only analyzes patterns of discrimination, but also develops concrete recommendations for action for equal opportunities in medical care.

The award of the Dr. The Bertold Moos Prize every two years honors scientific contributions that demonstrate innovation potential and social relevance. The Institute for History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine at the University of Ulm is dedicated to researching the historical development of medicine as well as questions of medical ethics and thus plays an essential role in understanding and improving health care.

Overall, despite advances in medical research and equal opportunity efforts, there is still much to be done to effectively combat discrimination in healthcare. The work of Tobias Skuban-Eiseler and the results of the “Diagnostic Discrimination” study help to raise awareness of these important issues and identify the need for action.

For more information, you can find the relevant reports here: University of Ulm and Federal anti-discrimination agency.