Health Equity

In Switzerland, people with lower levels of education and income have significantly lower life expectancies. They are also more likely to have health problems. Equal health means that everyone has the same opportunities to develop, maintain and, if necessary, recover good health.

Abstract Gesundheitliche Chancengleichheit

Poverty / Social disadvantage

Poverty can make people ill, but the opposite is also true: illness can cause poverty. There is a range of reasons for poverty and social disadvantage. However, the effects on health are undisputed.

Good to know

  • Illness can lead to unemployment and make it difficult to find a new job. There is a huge risk that those affected will become dependent on social assistance.
  • Bad working or living conditions, debt and long-term unemployment jeopardize an individual's mental and physical well-being.
  • Children from underprivileged families often have worse development outcomes. Preschool care and support services considerably increase equal opportunity when the children start school.
  • But poverty and social disadvantage often go hand in hand with a lower level of health literacy, meaning that individuals are unable to take the right decisions in their everyday lives to have a positive impact on their health. The easy-to-understand health information on migesplus in up to 56 different languages promotes health literacy.

Relevant links

Relevant publications

Publications for professionals
Child Poverty in the Midst of Wealth

In a time of general prosperity, more than 69 million children live in poverty in some of the world’s richest countries. Poverty is most often defined by income. But for most children, poverty is about more than just money. It is about growing up in a home…

1 language

Diversity and discrimination

People in disadvantaged population groups have a higher risk of facing discrimination. This can have serious consequences in the healthcare system. For example, language barriers can make access to healthcare difficult. The right information can help reveal discrimination and prevent disadvantage.

Relevant publications

Publications for professionals
Factsheet zur gesundheitlichen Chancengleichheit

Die Abteilung Gesundheit der Geschäftsstelle SRK hat ein Factsheet zur gesundheitlichen Chancengleichheit zusammengestellt. Es zeigt bildhaft die Erkenntnisse des Projekt Aequalitas auf und welche Aktivitäten wir durchgeführt haben.

2 languages