public health News - Swiss Observer

Zurich Extends Cannabis Pilot Program to 2028

City council applies to extend legal cannabis dispensary project following successful initial phase with over 2,300 participants

SWI swissinfo.ch

Zurich Extends Cannabis Pilot Program to 2028

12:00 PM·society

Swiss Campaign Targets Violence in Parenting

Child Protection Switzerland launches final phase of national prevention campaign against parental violence

SWI swissinfo.ch

Swiss Campaign Targets Violence in Parenting

12:00 PM·safety

Hiking Accidents Double in Switzerland Over 15 Years

Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund reports alarming rise in mountain hiking incidents, with over 9,000 annual cases now compared to 4,000 in 2009, prompting urgent safety awareness campaign.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Hiking Accidents Double in Switzerland Over 15 Years

04:00 PM·health

WHO Reports 100 Million E-Cigarette Users Globally

Geneva-based World Health Organization warns of rising e-cigarette use as global users exceed 100 million, while traditional smoking declines to 1.2 billion users.

SWI swissinfo.ch

WHO Reports 100 Million E-Cigarette Users Globally

12:00 PM·agriculture

Lumpy-Skin Disease Disrupts Traditional Alpine Cattle Drives

Several Swiss cantons forced to cancel or modify traditional Alpine cattle drives due to lumpy-skin disease outbreak in neighboring France, affecting UNESCO-recognized cultural practice.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Lumpy-Skin Disease Disrupts Traditional Alpine Cattle Drives

12:00 PM·healthcare

Pink October: Geneva Hospitals Launch Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

Geneva University Hospitals initiate comprehensive breast cancer awareness program as cases rise among young women, with over 6,650 new cases recorded annually in Switzerland.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Pink October: Geneva Hospitals Launch Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

04:00 PM·youth protection

Swiss Petition Calls for Social Media Age Restriction to Protect Youth

Non-profit organization submits 60,000-signature petition demanding minimum age of 16 for social media access, citing concerns over cyberbullying and addiction.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Swiss Petition Calls for Social Media Age Restriction to Protect Youth

08:00 AM·climate change

Climate Change Claims 200 Lives in Swiss Summer Heat Wave

New research reveals climate change contributed to approximately 200 heat-related deaths in Swiss cities during summer 2025, with Zurich most affected.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Climate Change Claims 200 Lives in Swiss Summer Heat Wave

04:00 PM·climate change

Heat Wave's Deadly Toll: 200 Climate-Related Deaths in Swiss Cities

New research reveals climate change contributed to approximately 200 heat-related deaths in Swiss cities during summer 2025, with Zurich most affected.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Heat Wave's Deadly Toll: 200 Climate-Related Deaths in Swiss Cities

04:00 PM·healthcare

Zurich opens pioneering drug consumption facility for non-residents

City launches temporary drug consumption center to address increasing public drug use, offering services to non-resident addicts for the first time.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Zurich opens pioneering drug consumption facility for non-residents

12:00 PM·healthcare

Sepsis Claims 4,000 Lives Annually in Switzerland, New Report Warns

Swiss Sepsis Programme reveals alarming death toll from sepsis matches combined fatalities from strokes and heart attacks, calling for increased awareness and intervention.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Sepsis Claims 4,000 Lives Annually in Switzerland, New Report Warns

04:00 PM·health

Switzerland Steps Up Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Addiction Switzerland reports 1,700 annual cases, calls for improved support systems and awareness

SWI swissinfo.ch

Switzerland Steps Up Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

04:00 PM·public health

Health Alert: Toxic Algae Forces Swimming Ban in Lake Lugano

Swiss authorities issue urgent warning against swimming in Lake Lugano's southern basin due to dangerous levels of toxic blue-green algae, with potential health risks including skin reactions and liver problems.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Health Alert: Toxic Algae Forces Swimming Ban in Lake Lugano

04:00 PM·public health

Measles Outbreak Triggers School Quarantines in Central Switzerland

Health officials implement quarantine measures in central Swiss schools following multiple confirmed measles cases, raising concerns about vaccination rates among students.

The Local Switzerland

Measles Outbreak Triggers School Quarantines in Central Switzerland

12:00 PM·health

Switzerland Cancels Major Health Study Due to Budget Cuts

Federal health office terminates CHF240 million nationwide study on PFAS and pesticide exposure, impacting planned research on 100,000 volunteers.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Switzerland Cancels Major Health Study Due to Budget Cuts

08:00 AM·health

Swiss Health Director Acknowledges COVID Response Shortcomings

Federal health chief admits elderly care failures during pandemic, calls for improved crisis management.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Swiss Health Director Acknowledges COVID Response Shortcomings

12:00 PM·health

Swiss Health Regulator Issues Warning on Dangerous Weight Loss Products

Swissmedic alerts public about counterfeit and unauthorized weight loss products containing harmful substances, particularly targeting misleading GLP-1 products on social media.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Swiss Health Regulator Issues Warning on Dangerous Weight Loss Products

12:00 PM·agriculture

First Lumpy Skin Disease Case Near Swiss Border Triggers Emergency Response

Switzerland implements mandatory cattle vaccination in Geneva region after first case of lumpy skin disease detected in neighboring France.

SWI swissinfo.ch

First Lumpy Skin Disease Case Near Swiss Border Triggers Emergency Response

08:00 AM·transport

Swiss Railways Tests Stricter Smoking Rules at Five Stations

SBB launches pilot program with tougher smoking regulations at selected train stations, signaling potential nationwide policy changes for public transportation hubs.

The Local Switzerland

Swiss Railways Tests Stricter Smoking Rules at Five Stations

public health

Zurich Extends Cannabis Trial as Legal Sales Top 750kg

Zurich Extends Cannabis Pilot Program to 2028

Swiss Campaign Targets Violence in Parenting

Hiking Accidents Double in Switzerland Over 15 Years

WHO Reports 100 Million E-Cigarette Users Globally

Lumpy-Skin Disease Disrupts Traditional Alpine Cattle Drives

Pink October: Geneva Hospitals Launch Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

Swiss Petition Calls for Social Media Age Restriction to Protect Youth

Climate Change Claims 200 Lives in Swiss Summer Heat Wave

Heat Wave's Deadly Toll: 200 Climate-Related Deaths in Swiss Cities

Zurich opens pioneering drug consumption facility for non-residents

Sepsis Claims 4,000 Lives Annually in Switzerland, New Report Warns

Switzerland Steps Up Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Health Alert: Toxic Algae Forces Swimming Ban in Lake Lugano

Measles Outbreak Triggers School Quarantines in Central Switzerland

Switzerland Cancels Major Health Study Due to Budget Cuts

Swiss Health Director Acknowledges COVID Response Shortcomings

Swiss Health Regulator Issues Warning on Dangerous Weight Loss Products

First Lumpy Skin Disease Case Near Swiss Border Triggers Emergency Response

Swiss Railways Tests Stricter Smoking Rules at Five Stations

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