An initiative proposed by Switzerland’s Centre Party looks set to move to the next phase after government counter proposals were rejected this week, reported SRF. The cost of Switzerland’s compulsory health insurance will rise by 8.7% next year, something that has pushed the issue to the top of voters’ list of concerns – in a […]
More than a quarter of Switzerland’s doctors over 60
As Switzerland’s population ages so do its doctors. In 2021, more than a quarter of doctors were more than 60 years old, according to data published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). At the end of 2021 Switzerland had 25,439 doctors working in doctors’ surgeries or outpatient centres, a rate of nearly 3 per 1,000 […]
Swiss health insurance premiums set to rise most since 2010
Health insurance premiums will rise by 8.7% on average in 2024, announced the authorities this week. This is the sharpest rise since 2010 when they rose by 8.6%. The average monthly premium across Switzerland in 2024 will be CHF 359.50. Health Minister Alain Berset and Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) director Anne Lévy announced the […]
Cycle helmets surprisingly rare in Switzerland
Riding a bike, e-bike or e-scooter is dangerous compared to travelling in a car. In 2020, cyclists and e-bikers together accounted for the largest share (38%) of total serious accidents on Switzerland’s roads. However, despite the odds of serious accidents, surprisingly few wear helmets, according to a survey by TCS. Overall, the survey, based on […]
Swiss government’s generics push could cut 250 million from health bill
Many drugs come in two forms: expensive branded drugs and cheaper generic copies. Switzerland’s Federal Council hopes a shift to cheaper generic and bio-similar medicines can shave CHF 250 million from Switzerland’s rapidly rising cost of healthcare, reported SRF. New rules on medicine choices and health insurance were already set to come into force on […]
Toxic chemicals found in Swiss population
A recent study by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), which analysed the blood and urine of members of the public, revealed undesirable levels of chemical compounds, in particular perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a substance banned since 2010 in Switzerland. PFOA exposure has been associated with two kinds of cancer as well as four other […]
More than 80% of Switzerland satisfied with life
A survey published this week shows that 82% of Switzerland’s population is at least moderately satisfied with life. The survey published by gfs.berne, based on data collected during April and May 2023, showed that only 18% of the population were either not very satisfied (13%) or not at all satisfied (5%) with life. The remaining […]
Small amounts of drugs will no longer be confiscated, rules Swiss court
A recent decision by the Federal Tribunal, Switzerland’s highest court, opens the way for the police to allow drug users caught with small amounts of banned drugs to keep them, reported SRF. The federal court decision, which relates to cannabis possession, is likely to be applied to other drugs such as cocaine, according to legal […]
Swiss medical students losing interest in becoming family doctors
With 4.6 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, Switzerland has one of the world’s highest rates of doctors per capita. At the same time it has a shortage of family doctors, reports SRF. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend a rate of 1 family doctor for every 1,000 people. Switzerland has around 8,500, which comes to 0.97 […]
Why attacks on abortion rights have failed in Switzerland
Abortion rights are a hot political topic in the US and women’s access to them has been significantly reduced recently. Some political groups have tried to reduce access to abortion in Switzerland. However, their attempts have fallen flat. Why? Political scientist Cloé Jans at gfs.bern, a political research organisation, shared her views with SRF. In […]