Research on Health Equity
The FOPH develops knowledge bases in the field of health equity and instigates studies on the health of deprived population groups.
News
Report and booklet on health inequities
The report «Health for everyone? Report on health inequities in Switzerland» by the Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan) on behalf of the FOPH provides a comprehensive overview of health inequities in Switzerland. It covers 30 health indicators and shows how these differ according to social characteristics such as gender, education, income and migration background.
In addition to social characteristics, the report also takes into account particularly vulnerable groups, such as «Sans-Papiers» and homeless people. The report highlights the diversity of health inequities and where action is needed to promote equal opportunities in healthcare.
The report is accompanied by a booklet that presents the most important facts and figures from the report.
Note: A printed version of the report can be obtained here: Gesundheit – für alle? | OBSAN.
Equity Indicators
A research team has succeeded in measuring equity in Swiss healthcare on the basis of potentially avoidable hospital admissions. The study results show that there is a clear link between potentially avoidable hospital admissions and socio-economic disadvantage. The concentration of healthcare providers and cultural diversity also play a role.
Basic reports
The FOPH has commissioned a number of basic reports (in German and French) to define its future activities in the areas of Health Equity:
The research activities aim to monitor developments and issues in the field of health equity and to obtain in-depth insights in order to be able to implement targeted measures. Analysis is to be conducted in the next few years to determine the costs of excessive, insufficient or inappropriate treatment among disadvantaged groups and to identify the benefits of the implemented measures.
Health of the Migrant Population 2017
Data from the Swiss Health Survey (SHS) have been specifically analysed with regard to health inequalities:
To complete the picture, additional surveys are to be conducted on groups that are poorly represented in the SHS (e.g. asylum seekers).
Further Research Reports
Thematically categorised further information and research reports can be found on the health equity website and on the following pages:
- Health of LGBT people
- Health equity: facts & figures
- Knowledge base on interpreting
- Research projects on health equity (in German or French)
International context
The topic of health equity is also a priority internationally. The World Health Organization WHO and the European Union consider health equity a condition for security, peace and social prosperity and have published recommendations and reports to promote it. You will find further information in the infobox below.
Further information
Index
Further topics
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Health Equity Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern