A Swiss study released yesterday shows the health risks of living near a highway. The study by the Bern based Institute of Social and Preventative Medicine (ISPM) found that young children living less than 100m from a highway are at a substantially higher risk of leukaemia. Traffic emissions contain known carcinogens, such as benzene and […]
Swiss landlords stop smoking at home
In Switzerland the communal areas of most apartment buildings were declared smoke-free about five years ago, so the present debate has moved to the inconvenient ‘neighbourhood effects’ of cigarette smoke from those who puff away on thier balconies or at an open window. Since the prohibition on smoking in public places, more and more smokers […]
Hidden health hazards in children’s birthday cakes
Do you plan to buy or bake a birthday cake for your child’s birthday? They might look similar but appearances can be deceptive. Understandably most parents want to wow their children with an eye-catching birthday cake and these days shops, supermarkets and patisseries offer a bewildering array of fantastic looking cakes. Add to this the […]
Tips for a bloating-free Christmas!
It’s party season again! Christmas is the most magical and enjoyable time of the year! But the glum downside is gaining a bit of weight. Still, there is no reason why good health and good times have to roll in opposite directions. Get the formula right and let the good times, and good health, come […]
Swiss health vote on knife-edge
When Swiss voters go to the polls in a national referendum on 28 September, the critical issue of private versus public health insurance will likely be decided along the Röstigraben line, the famous psychological divide between German and Latin language cantons. At least this is according to recent opinion polls, which indicate that German-speaking voters […]