After decades of concern about rising childhood obesity, Switzerland may finally be bending the curve. A new nationwide body-mass-index survey suggests that the proportion of overweight children has declined modestly over the past 15 years, particularly among younger pupils. Yet the improvements are uneven and social inequalities remain stark. The study, published by Promotion Santé Suisse, […]
Switzerland almost the worst nation in Europe on tobacco control
For a country that prides itself on public health and regulatory competence, Switzerland performs strikingly poorly in the fight against smoking. According to a new European ranking on tobacco-control policies, the country places 36th out of 37 states assessed—ahead only of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ranking, highlighted by the Swiss Association for Tobacco Control, places […]
Rise in Swiss health insurance set to moderate in 2027
Swiss basic health-insurance premiums are expected to rise by an average of 3.7% in 2027, according to forecasts by Comparis. After a 4.4% increase in 2026, costs are set to keep climbing, says Felix Schneuwly, the company’s health-insurance expert. Global economic conditions remain a key risk. “Premiums depend not only on the cost of insured […]
Swiss doctors accused of demanding cash payments before surgery
Some Swiss doctors are demanding thousands of francs in cash from patients before operations, sometimes without providing receipts or clearly explaining the charges, according to an investigation by SRF. Patient advocates say the practice is becoming increasingly common and may in some cases breach Swiss healthcare rules. The Zurich Patient Centre says it has documented […]
Swiss government waters down nursing reforms
Switzerland’s lower house has watered down plans to improve working conditions for nurses, despite a looming staff shortage. Meeting in special session, the Swiss National Council diluted several elements of a government reform tied to the nursing-care initiative approved by voters in 2021. Lawmakers rejected a proposal to cut the maximum working week for nurses […]
How too many livestock keep Switzerland from feeding itself
Switzerland could produce far more of its own food while cutting environmental damage, according to a study published late last year, which argues that eliminating inefficiencies in the food system—especially feed production and waste—would sharply raise food output. The country’s self-sufficiency rate (SSR), a measure of how many consumed calories are produced domestically, is just […]
Early-onset colorectal cancer on the rise in Switzerland
Colorectal cancer among younger people in rising across the world. A new study published this week shows Switzerland is no exception. About seven in 100,000 people under 50 are diagnosed annually. and the trend is moving in the wrong direction. The study by researchers at the University of Geneva and Geneva’s University Hospital analysed nearly […]
Swiss crackdown on forever chemicals faces resistance from farmers
Switzerland’s federal government is stepping up efforts to tackle contamination from PFAS—so-called forever chemicals—but is meeting resistance from cantons and parliament. According to reporting by SRF, officials plan to issue a directive requiring cantons to test for PFAS in food and impose sales bans on contaminated meat and eggs. The move follows cases in places […]
Tick bites on the rise in Switzerland
Tick bites are on the rise in Switzerland. Suva, the national accident insurance provider, estimates that nearly 18,000 cases were recorded in 2025, close to the peak seen in 2020 and well above the 9,000 reported annually in the mid-2000s. Between 2020 and 2024 the figure had already climbed to more than 14,000 a year. […]
Young Swiss prefer stability over change and dissent
Young Swiss adults are less inclined to rebel than to seek stability, according to the latest Youth Barometer by the research institute GFS Bern, conducted for the pharmaceutical firm Merck. Based on a survey of 1,009 people aged 16 to 30, the study challenges familiar clichés about a restless, risk-taking youth. Rebellion and other supposed […]
