Fundamentals
In Switzerland, a wide variety of state and non-state institutions and organizations are active in health promotion and prevention. Switzerland has a unique democratic tradition, with 27 political systems (one federal and 26 cantonal systems), granting cantons and communes a maximum of political self-determination and restricting the responsibilities of national authorities to the absolute minimum.
Healthcare in Switzerland is regulated by the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act of 1994. All Swiss citizens are required by law to purchase their own health insurance. Each canton has its own constitution, legislative and executive body. There is neither a national health law, nor are public health goals defined at the national level.
The Swiss political system is a combination of liberalism and federalism. These two principles also strongly influence the organization of the healthcare system. The Swiss healthcare system is characterized by a mixture of private and public, as well as cantonal and federal responsibilities. Due to cantonal fragmentation, 26 variations of a healthcare system coexist in Switzerland. Public health efforts, especially in health promotion, need to take this diversity and complexity into account.
At present, a new Prevention Act (PrävG) is in preparation, designed to improve the management of prevention, health promotion and early detection measures in Switzerland. In particular, this legislation is expected clarify topics such as:
Would you like to know more about the international history of Health Promotion? Click here.
Healthcare in Switzerland is regulated by the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act of 1994. All Swiss citizens are required by law to purchase their own health insurance. Each canton has its own constitution, legislative and executive body. There is neither a national health law, nor are public health goals defined at the national level.
The Swiss political system is a combination of liberalism and federalism. These two principles also strongly influence the organization of the healthcare system. The Swiss healthcare system is characterized by a mixture of private and public, as well as cantonal and federal responsibilities. Due to cantonal fragmentation, 26 variations of a healthcare system coexist in Switzerland. Public health efforts, especially in health promotion, need to take this diversity and complexity into account.
At present, a new Prevention Act (PrävG) is in preparation, designed to improve the management of prevention, health promotion and early detection measures in Switzerland. In particular, this legislation is expected clarify topics such as:
- Setting priorities through control and coordination instruments
- Clarification of the division of tasks between federal government and cantons
- Financing principles and the use of prevention taxes
Would you like to know more about the international history of Health Promotion? Click here.
