Targeted prevention and early detection are the key to long-term success

The prevention and early detection of diseases form the central building blocks of a sustainable healthcare system. In Switzerland however, these crucial conditions have a niche existence. With only 14 francs per capita spent annually on prevention, Switzerland lags far behind internationally. Targeted investment in prevention could significantly reduce not only the burden of disease but also the cost of healthcare. We demonstrate this through various areas of action.

A sustainable healthcare system must focus more on the prevention and early detection of diseases. Risk factors such as lack of exercise, unhealthy diet and smoking significantly contribute to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, but targeted prevention programs could prevent up to 80% of these.

Certain preventive measures are among the most cost-effective health interventions, and early, targeted and preventive interventions can help to avoid suffering, secondary illnesses and follow-up costs. A sustainable healthcare system must meet the challenges of demographic change and growing cost pressure. To leverage the full potential of prevention, actions are needed that can be measured in terms of effectiveness. However, the diversity of possible preventive approaches requires a careful allocation of resources to ensure efficiency and a positive impact, and simply allocating “more money” for prevention does not necessarily lead to a healthier or happier population.

Prevention: more than just health promotion

Despite numerous prevention strategies of the Federal Government, there is currently no holistic vision with concise goals and systematic cost-benefit analyses. Access to preventive services is strongly influenced by differences at cantonal level. Important data on the effectiveness and efficiency of existing measures is often not available, which in turn hampers strategic planning.

Traditional approaches to prevention which focus on behavioral changes and education often reach their limits, especially when they cater for hard-to-reach target groups. This is where innovative therapeutic approaches open up new possibilities. Such examples are mRNA vaccines and stem cell therapy: these highly innovative products offer new opportunities for therapeutic prevention and are capable of significantly expanding the range of preventive measures. ​

However, integrating innovative therapeutic approaches in these areas of action necessitates an adjustment to the regulatory and social framework and the development of new financing solutions. Preventive therapies have the potential to sustainably improve health and, in turn, social stability in the 21st century.

To achieve this, and to exploit the full potential of prevention and early detection, Interpharma sees four areas of action:

1. Coordination: A national strategy that combines prevention and early detection with clear, measurable targets.
2. Use of data: Systematic monitoring and evaluation of measures.
3. Access: Uniform, low-threshold access to effective prevention services.
4. Processes: The promotion of integrated care models to eliminate false incentives.

Prevention is the key to a more efficient healthcare system and a healthier population, and a paradigm shift is required in the direction of more personal responsibility, improved coordination and targeted investments. Only in this way can Switzerland meet the growing challenges of demographic change and rising healthcare costs in the long run. In the parts of the series to follow, we’ll be exploring the various areas of action.

More at: 2024: Prevention-as-a-Service – Salon Santé (in german)

Blog part 1: Prevention as part of a sustainable Swiss healthcare system