Switzerland strengthens measures against noncommunicable diseases

The Confederation, the cantons, Health Promotion Switzerland and the private sector are taking joint action against non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal diseases or diabetes. The action plan comprises 14 measures, which are divided into three major fields of action: Prevention and Health Promotion in the General Population, Prevention in Healthcare, and Prevention in the Business and Work Environment.

One innovative approach, for example, is to better integrate prevention into health care. Health professionals, and in particular family physicians, are to play a key role by systematically supporting patients in their decisions and informing them about healthy lifestyle options at every step of treatment.

Efforts in favor of older people
Since the elderly are more susceptible to noncommunicable diseases, special efforts must be made to protect them. Cantonal prevention programs are to be strengthened and should focus in particular on this target group, for example on malnutrition. The programs should also help older people to maintain an optimal quality of life for as long as possible.

Cooperation with the private sector will also be strengthened, as the business community is to become a supporting pillar of prevention. The aim is to build partnerships with companies to improve the health of employees and consumers. With the actionsanté initiative, for example, companies in the food industry have committed to reducing the sugar content of certain products.

Non-communicable diseases affect a quarter of the population in Switzerland and account for 80 percent of healthcare costs. This suffering and its economic impact will increase as the population ages. There is therefore a need for action: In half of the cases, a healthy lifestyle could prevent the disease or mitigate its consequences.

Cantonal action programs for mental health
The federal government, the cantons and the Swiss Health Promotion Foundation are also working more closely together in the area of mental health. In the course of a year, it is estimated that up to one third of the Swiss population suffers from a mental illness. Many cantons have already launched prevention programs. In a report to fulfill a postulate of the Committee for Social Security and Health of the Council of States (13.3370), which the Federal Council adopted last week, it shows how the Confederation intends to support the cantons in implementing their programs to improve the mental health of the population. To this end, the Swiss Health Promotion Foundation will fund cantonal mental health action programs starting in 2017.

Many suicides could be avoided
Suicide prevention is embedded in the measures of the federal government and the cantons. In order to strengthen this throughout Switzerland, the federal government and the cantons have adopted the Suicide Prevention Action Plan in response to a parliamentary motion (Motion Ingold 11.3973). The goal is to reduce the annual number of deaths by 300 cases by 2030.

Finally, as part of the National Health Policy Dialogue, the federal government and the cantons decided to extend the National Dementia Strategy until 2019. It was launched in 2014 and comprises a total of 18 projects carried out by various players in the health sector.

Source: EDI