Each phase of a human being's life is shaped by structural changes in the body and mind and by the needs that result from these changes. In a number of life phases – childhood, pregnancy or advanced age ­– health is an especially important factor and particular care is needed to protect it.
The FOPH conducts information campaigns aimed at raising awareness of issues, for instance communicable diseases, smoking and alcohol consumption, handling of chemical products in everyday life, measles vaccination or organ donation, among people living in Switzerland.
Working in collaboration with the cantons, international health agencies and other partners, the Swiss Government combats communicable diseases that constitute a threat to public health in Switzerland.
Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes are currently the most common cause of deaths worldwide, and account for around 75 percent of deaths in Switzerland.
Mental health encompasses personal wellbeing, satisfaction, self-confidence and the ability to form and sustain relationships, to cope with everyday life and to work. Mental health is not a state; it is a dynamic process of adaptation to the changing environment.
Alcohol, illegal drugs and tobacco cause a great deal of suffering for those affected and high consequential costs for society. Besides the "classic" addictions, there are also "new" forms such as dependence on prescription drugs, gambling or excessive use of the Internet.
Certain sectors of the population are particularly vulnerable in terms of harm to health, owing either to their physical or emotional constitution (e.g. disability, mental illness, addictive disorder, pregnancy, advanced age, migration background, etc.) or to their socio-economic situation.
To ensure the greatest possible effectiveness, measures that are aimed at promoting health and preventing diseases must be based on sound scientific foundations. Evaluation is used to support strategy development, achieve optimum effectiveness, promote organisational learning and provide accountability to the public.
Healthcare policy focuses on public health and public healthcare provision. Access to prevention and early identification services and to appropriate healthcare for all sectors of the population is an important basic requirement. Further topics include quality assurance of the services provided and the financial viability, data situation and manageability of the healthcare system.
In an increasingly networked world, the significance of international cooperation is also steadily growing in the health sector. Two key factors are international cooperation as a means of promoting health in Switzerland, and health as a component of development aid.