Day of the sick 2020
Events and campaigns will be held throughout Switzerland on March 1, 2020, the "Day of the Sick". With the motto "I am more than my illness(es)", the aim for 2020 is to show that many sick and impaired people are important pillars of our society.
According to the 2015 Health Report surveys, 2.2 million people of all ages in Switzerland suffer from a chronic disease. Anyone who now thinks that they can no longer participate in professional and social life is only partially correct. Many sick and impaired people are important pillars of our society. This is shown by the special evaluation of the Swiss Household Panel. The data also suggest that social participation in the case of
of an illness has a positive influence on the quality of life and the perceived state of health. Hence the call for Sick Day 2020: "Let's be there for those who are not doing so well. Let's engage them and include them in our society."
The "Day of the Sick" has its fixed place in Switzerland's annual events
Thousands will participate on March 1, 2020, with concerts, with visiting and gift-giving activities in hospitals and homes, and with sermons and solidarity events. This year the motto is: "I am more than my illness(es)". Behind the day is the sponsoring association of the same name, which for over 80 years has wanted to sensitize the population once a year to a topic from the area of "health and illness". The goal is, Healthy and sick people together and to counteract the loneliness of sick people. Furthermore, we want to honor the commitment of the thousands of people who regularly work for sick and impaired people.
"Health is created and lived by people in their everyday environment, where they play, learn, work and love."
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
Active in the Bhe profession and social life in spite of illness and impairment
Many ill and impaired people are severely restricted or burdened by their illness. It is therefore all the more important to appreciate that many of those affected work and are socially engaged. The special analysis of the Swiss Household Panel data from 2016, 2017 and 2018 provides important insights in this regard. In 2018, around one-third of respondents aged 15 and older reported having a chronic illness or health problem that has lasted for some time. Just over half of these individuals are working or in education, and another third are already retired and receiving pensions. The numbers also show that people are actively participating in social life despite being ill. Over 50% of respondents with a chronic illness are involved in a group, club or other organization. The 2016 figures also indicate that about 30% do volunteer work for people who do not live in their household. This includes, for example, babysitting children, helping neighbors, or providing a ride.
Social support has a positive influence on perceived health
Maintaining friendships and everyday contact with acquaintances, work colleagues or neighbors means normality. In the case of an illness or impairment, this normality is often a need and especially helpful in particularly difficult situations. Also for Children with a disease or impairment, it is important that they are allowed to be a child despite the illness and can play with other children, for example. The figures from the household panel allow the following conclusions to be drawn: An illness does restrict everyday activities and reduce the quality of life, but with social support it is possible to counteract this and the effect is reduced. The illness does influence everyday life and needs time and space, but especially in the case of chronic illnesses, life also consists of other content. This is shown, for example, by the figures from a special evaluation of the Swiss Household Panel. The data also suggest that social participation has a positive impact on quality of life and perceived health status in the case of a chronic illness. In this sense, we would like to invite the population to be there for each other and especially for those who are not doing so well at the moment.
RADIX Competence Center
Behind the day is the sponsoring association of the same name, which aims to sensitize the population once a year to a special topic from the field of "health and illness". In the "Activities" section of the website, interested parties can see which events are taking place where and when. You can also register your own activities there.
RADIX is a national competence center for the development and implementation of public health and sustainable development measures. RADIX's clients are the federal government and cantons as well as private organizations and companies. The thematic focal points are exercise and nutrition, mental health, Addiction and violence. Health promotion is understood as a sub-dimension of sustainable development. Special attention is paid to the rights and protection of children. RADIX services promote knowledge transfer, innovation, quality and effectiveness.
Text: RADIX
