Public Health Policy in Third Reich Germany

Third Reich Germany was a world leader in public health policy and medical research. The regime’s “war on cancer,” for example, was the most vigorous anywhere, and included restrictions on the use of asbestos, bans on carcinogenic pesticides and food dyes, and restrictions on public smoking and cigarette advertising. Years ahead of their colleagues in the US, Third Reich researchers were the first to prove definitively that smoking was the major cause of lung cancer. Hitler’s Germany was also a pioneer in promoting healthier and better quality foods, environmentalism, holistic medicine, animal welfare, and healthier living generally. Such “progressive” and socially beneficial measures were a reflection of the country’s National Socialist world view. Decades of malicious propaganda and deceitful “education,” especially in the US, have inhibited awareness of these and other Third Reich achievements.