Federal Office of Public Health FOPH

Part of the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is responsible for public health in Switzerland, developing national health policy and working to assure a healthcare system that is effective and affordable in the long term.

The long-term warming of the planet has many health implications for the Swiss population. In particular, hot days and tropical nighttime temperatures impair people’s wellbeing and their physical and mental capacities. During heat episodes there is a demonstrable increase in fatalities and emergency admissions to hospital. Elderly and ill people (particularly those with chronic illness) are at the greatest risk.

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is working with other federal offices to create knowledge bases and formulate preventive measures to protect the Swiss public from the health-related effects of climate change. The National Centre for Climate Services (NCCS) provides an important institutional framework for these endeavours. For this reason the FOPH is a member of the NCCS board of directors and executive committee. In the course of its work in the Climate Change & Health area of focus, the FOPH compiles knowledge bases and provides members of the public, professionals and authorities with information and tools.