Activities to promote health equity

The promotion of health equity and equitable access to healthcare are guiding principles of Switzerland’s health and integration policy. Through its activities, the FOPH also aims to enhance quality and efficiency in the healthcare system.

In Switzerland, people with a low level of education, a low professional status or low income have a significantly shorter life expectancy. They are also more likely to suffer from health problems. Ensuring health equity means ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to develop, maintain and if necessary restore their health. This requires low-threshold and adequate access to health promotion, prevention, care, support and high-quality treatment for all – if necessary through specific measures.

Focus on socially disadvantaged groups

The FOPH continues to pursue health equity for all population groups following the conclusion of the National Programme on Migration and Health (2002–2017). Such efforts are carried out within the scope of the integration policy and other health policy strategies, such as the Strategy on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD strategy). As health disparities mainly exist between people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, the focus is no longer solely on migrants, but social disadvantaged groups as a whole. Access to healthcare is to be improved in particular for those living in poverty and asylum seekers.

Facts & figures and basic reports on health equity

The FOPH has commissioned a number of basic reports to clarify how health equity can be better incorporated in ongoing activities and strategies. You can find these reports, as well as facts and figures for Switzerland and other information, at the following links:

Documents