In addition to monitoring by indicators, health reports form a specific part of health reporting. Health reports are scientific reports which provide a complex representation of the public health conditions of a society. They serve government and public authorities as a basis for decision making. In the public health sector they provide information for specific health-promoting policies.
Health reports provide
- a description of the health-ill health continuum of a population or population group taking into account worldwide societal living conditions, the living conditions of specific population groups and their lifestyles
- identification of problem areas and problem and target groups for the promotion of health and preventive activities
- a description of chronic illnesses and social determinants, disease management programmes, and curative activities
- monitoring of changes in health/ill health at population level over time, thus monitoring the effect and efficiency of social and public health strategies and policies
- an indication of scientific implications for a multi-sector health policy and the co-ordination of policies
- a presentation of strategic deliberations as to the implementation of scientific findings in social and public health policies and politics
The health of a population should be promoted not only by the public health authorities but should also involve the widest range of social and political aspects of a nation. The principle „Health in all Policies“ has put the health determinants at the centre of health reports. These determinants are dictated by the living conditions and lifestyles of population groups. This approach has the advantage of highlighting multi-sector strategies and policies, which through changes in living conditions and associated behavioural patterns, can improve the health of the population.
Health reports are aimed at a wide audience, ranging from representatives of legislative and executive bodies, public health authorities and administration, health care and research professionals to non-government organisations, interested citizens and individuals with a specific health problem.
Health reports can be compiled for the whole population (e.g. nationwide health reports) or for regions (e.g. cantonal health reports).
Health in Switzerland – National Health Report 2008 was published in November 2008 (available in German and French). A summary of the report is also available in English.
Summary of the National Health Report 2008
Further information on the nationwide health report and the cantonal health reports is available in German and French.
More on the nationwide health report in German
More on the nationwide health report in French
More on the cantonal health reports in German
More on the cantonal health reports in French