The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is the Swiss federal government’s centre for public health and a part of the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs.In addition to developing national health policy, it also represents the interests of its country within international health organizations such as the OECD or the World Health Organization. As of December 2014, FOPH employs 544 persons (443 full-time job equivalents). The 2015 budget was 193 million Swiss francs.
BiotechnologyBiotechnology modernizationBiotechnology modernization, driven by advances in synthetic biology, AI, and automation, offers transformative solutions in health, agriculture, and sustainability but also holds a potential to fuel a biological arms race. This chapter maps approaches and tools for mitigating the potential of misuse and malign exploitation of biotechnologyBiotechnology knowledge, materials, and infrastructure without hindering legitimate access to novel scientific and technological advances. In particular, it demonstrates how research security can support equitable biotechnologyBiotechnology modernizationBiotechnology modernization through strengthened international coordination and inclusive governanceGovernance. The chapter, first, identifies a set of structural prerequisites for the governanceGovernance of biotechnologyBiotechnology-AI convergenceConvergence that impact states’ rate of capability adoption. Second, it examines research and innovation securityInnovation security as part of the norms of responsible use of biotechnologyBiotechnology. And third, it outlines practical options for integrating research and innovation securityInnovation security within biotechnologyBiotechnology governanceGovernance to promote the collaborative nature of scientific and technological progress while mitigating risks of misuse and malign exploitation.
Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) have been proven to be a useful tool for optimizing patient radiation exposure. National DRLs (NDRLs) are defined based on data from a representative sample of the healthcare facilities in a particular country. This project presents the survey to update the NDRLs for cardiac interventional procedures in Switzerland. Healthcare facilities performing cardiac procedures in Switzerland were asked to provide radiation dose data for adult cardiac interventional procedures performed over the course of one year. The dataset included the procedure name and the corresponding air kerma area product, air kerma at the reference point, fluoroscopy time and number of cine acquisitions. Thirty-five healthcare facilities (95% of the total) provided data. The procedures were grouped into 11 electrophysiology procedures, 4 cardiac catheterization procedures, and 3 structural heart procedures. For each healthcare facility and radiation quantity, the median values were calculated. Updated NDRLs were determined as the 75th percentile of the distribution of these median values. For example, the updated NDRL for air kerma area product was set at 24 Gy∙cm2 for coronary angiography and at 2 Gy∙cm2 for pacemaker implantation, reflecting a substantial reduction from the prior NDRL values of 50 and 30 Gy∙cm2, respectively. These new NDRL values are substantially lower than the previous ones, highlighting the importance of conducting regular updates to accommodate continuous patient dose optimization of and technological advancements.
ObjectivesTo understand disruptions in mortality patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic beyond deaths directly attributed to SARS-CoV-2.MethodsWe analysed Swiss weekly deaths (2011–2021) by age, sex, region, and nine cause groups. For each age group, a Bayesian multivariate Poisson model was fitted to 2011–2019 data, accounting for seasonality, long-term trends, and cross-cause dependence. Comparing predictions with 2020–2021 observations revealed age- and cause-specific excesses.ResultsCardiovascular deaths peaked during the autumn 2020 wave, while no cause showed sustained excess across 2020–2021. In individuals aged ≥80 years, non-COVID respiratory (−25%) and mental/neurological (−12%) deaths declined, largely offset by COVID-19 deaths, leaving a modest +4.5% all-cause excess. Cardiovascular and mental/neurological excesses correlated with COVID-19 and other respiratory excesses, reflecting strong pre-pandemic cross-cause correlations (ρ>0.80).ConclusionThese patterns likely reflect three overlapping mechanisms: reduced circulation of non-COVID-19 respiratory pathogens, unrecognized COVID-19 deaths (especially cardiovascular), and mortality displacement, pointing to possible underestimation of the true respiratory burden.
Introduction:Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of cervical cancer and other related diseases. Switzerland has implemented a national HPV immunisation strategy since 2007. This study examined trends in HPV vaccination coverage and valid schedule completion among adolescents in Switzerland between 2008 and 2022 and assessed differences in vaccination outcomes by delivery through school health services. Methods:We analysed data from the Swiss National Vaccination Coverage Survey, including 46 914 sampled adolescents, of whom 32 554 provided vaccination documentation. The analysis included 16-year-old girls (2008-2022) and 16-year-old boys (2017-2022). Vaccination uptake (≥1, ≥2 and ≥3 doses) and valid schedule completion (valid two-dose, valid three-dose and valid total) were estimated using weighted proportions with 95% CIs. Differences between cantons with and without HPV vaccination delivered through school health services were assessed for the 2017-2019 survey period. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with valid total schedule completion among girls (2011-2019). Results:Vaccination coverage among 16-year-old girls increased from 28.8% (95% CI 24.4% to 33.2%) in the survey period 2008-2010 to 74.6% (95% CI 72.2% to 77%) in the survey period 2020-2022 for ≥1 dose. Valid schedule completion rose substantially, particularly for the two-dose regimen after the 2012 recommendation change. Among boys, coverage reached 51.2% (95% CI 48.4% to 54%) for ≥1 dose in the survey period 2020-2022. In 2017-2019, completion of a valid HPV schedule among girls was 51.8% (95% CI 48.6% to 54.9%) in cantons with school health services versus 40.8% (95% CI 37.2% to 44.5%) in those without such services. In multivariable analyses, school health services, urban residence and French-speaking region were associated with higher odds of valid schedule completion. Conclusion:HPV vaccination coverage in Switzerland has improved over time, particularly following the introduction of the two-dose schedule. Delivery through school health services was associated with higher coverage and completion, highlighting the importance of organised vaccination delivery strategies.
BackgroundThe first nation-wide point-prevalence survey (PPS) in Swiss long-term care facilities (LTCF) showed significant geographical differences in antimicrobial use. The aim of this study was to characterize these variations, identify associated factors, and assess antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practices.MethodsThe PPS was performed in September 2024. A sample of Swiss LTCFs was randomly selected for representativeness according to language region and size. The PPS was also open to all interested Swiss LTCFs. Data were collected using the adapted Healthcare-Associated Infections in European Long-Term Care Facilities (HALT)-4 protocol. Data on antimicrobial use and AMS elements were stratified by language region. To identify factors independently associated with antimicrobial use, multivariable logistic regression was performed including resident- and institution-level variables.ResultsThe sample included 7244 residents from 94 LTCFs (43 from German, 18 from French, and 33 from Italian language regions). Most common indications for antimicrobial treatment were urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections and skin or soft tissue infections, across all language regions. Antimicrobial prophylaxis (32% 67/209) was more common in the French (41%, 26/64) compared to the Italian (29%, 24/82) and German language regions (27%, 17/63). Most commonly prescribed substances for prophylaxis were trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Adoption of AMS elements was low and more common in the French and Italian language region. In multivariable analysis, residing in a LTCF from the French language region remained the strongest factor associated with antimicrobial use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.99, 95% CI 1.76-5.01). Further factors were recent hospitalisation or surgery (aOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.50-3.19), urinary catheter use (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.36-3.24) and use of proton pump inhibitor (aOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.11-2.00), but not the number of implemented AMS elements.ConclusionsAntimicrobial use in Swiss LTCF is higher in the French compared to the Italian and the German language region, independent of other factors. These findings highlight the need for regional surveillance, AMS interventions tailored to local epidemiology, and assessment strategies for their implementation and effectiveness. The high proportion of prophylactic antimicrobials warrants further investigation to determine underlying causes and represents a target for AMS interventions.
