According to RTS, the first Swiss cases of the disease have been diagnosed. “We probably diagnosed the first case in someone returning from Colombia in November. The patient had a fever, joint pain and a skin rash”, confirmed Noémie Boillat, head of the vaccination unit of Lausanne’s Policlinique Médicale Universitaire (PMU) to RTS. The specialist […]
Can your neighbours make you fat? Swiss research suggests they could.
A recent study from Lausanne’s EPFL published in the British Medical Journal Open shows that not all city addresses are equal when it comes to waistlines. Those living in west Lausanne are much more likely to be obese than those in the east. Even after controlling for differences in wealth, education, age and other factors, belt lengths […]
Much higher risk of childhood leukaemia near highways
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 […]
Processed meats cause cancer says World Health Organisation
A study released today classifies processed meats as carcinogenic. The study, done by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization, looked at the carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat. Processed meats are those that have been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, […]
Swiss students push boundaries at Head fashion show in Geneva
On October 8 the Geneva University of Art and Design hosted its annual DEFILE HEAD fashion show and lucky me managed to get a front row seat to witness all the fashion action live and from up close. At the impressive Espace Hippomène, a former factory turned events hall, 15 bachelor’s collections and 3 master’s […]
Switzerland ranked best place to grow old. Why?
Switzerland did not have the longest life expectancy or the highest score on relative mental well-being. It did not have lowest old age poverty rate and it wasn’t perceived as the safest place for an older person to walk alone. So why did it rank as the best place to live in old age in […]
Swiss health premium increases spark shock and anger
On 24 September 2015 the Federal Public Health Office (OFSP) announced basic Swiss health insurance premium increases for 2016. Many are in a state of shock. The average increase across all cantons and insurance companies is 4%, however this number masks huge rises for some. Increases vary significantly by canton, insurance company, level of deductible […]
Healthcare – Switzerland the most expensive after the USA
Tribune de Genève. This week the newspaper Tribune de Genève reported that according to an OECD report Switzerland’s healthcare costs have gone up faster than most industrialised countries. Health spending per capita is second only to the USA. In 2013 Switzerland’s health costs increased at twice the pace of the OECD average of 1%. In […]
UN international Yoga day 2015 – learn about this ancient art at events in Switzerland
“By proclaiming 21 June as the International Day of Yoga, the General Assembly of the United Nations has recognized the holistic benefits of this timeless practice and its inherent compatibility with the principles and values of the United Nations.” Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General, United Nations. In December 2014, the 193-member United Nations General Assembly approved by consensus a […]
Could your cosmetics be harming animals?
Vegans arguably lead the way in not wanting to hurt animals. Veganism however, is about more than just cutting out animal foods like marshmallows and meat. It is about avoiding animal-based products altogether and is defined as ‘the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, as well as following an associated philosophy that […]
