Summary

The Federal Council has approved a report on prevention in healthcare (PGV) that shows the existing legal framework provides sufficient scope for its strengthening. The report identifies central implementation challenges and provides five concrete recommendations. PGV is gaining importance in light of demographic change and increasing chronic diseases.

Persons

Topics

  • Prevention in Healthcare (PGV)
  • National Strategy for Non-Communicable Diseases
  • Cantonal Healthcare Provision
  • Financing Models
  • Training and Continuing Education for Healthcare Professionals

Clarus Lead

On February 25, 2026, the Federal Council approved a report on prevention in healthcare that clarifies the framework conditions and responsibilities of this important prevention work. The report shows that the current legal framework provides sufficient scope to strengthen PGV – new legislation is not required. For decision-makers in cantons and health institutions, this means clarity about existing options. The Federal Council provides five concrete recommendations aimed at enhanced coordination, regional contact points, and hybrid financing models.

Detailed Summary

Prevention in healthcare is directed at people with non-communicable diseases such as cancer or diabetes. It encompasses measures for behavior change, early detection, and improvement of quality of life. Medical, psychological, and social aspects are taken into account. Given demographic change and rising disease burdens, this field of action is gaining considerable importance and is part of the National Strategy for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, extended until 2028.

The report fulfills two parliamentary postulates and analyzes current framework conditions as well as central implementation obstacles. Implementation is primarily the responsibility of the cantons. The foundation Health Promotion Switzerland can play a key role through coordinating support. The report also examines new financing mechanisms and confirms that the existing legal framework provides sufficient scope for action.

Another focus lies on the integration of health promotion and prevention into the training and continuing education of healthcare professionals. This is anchored in the Medical Professions and Health Professions Act. Educational institutions should examine how to sustainably incorporate such content. In parallel, in 2025 the federal government is working with cantons and municipalities within the framework of the "Basic Care Agenda" on prevention measures to ensure all people have access to high-quality care. Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider will prioritize federal measures in 2026.

Key Statements

  • The existing legal framework provides sufficient scope for strengthening prevention in healthcare – new legislation is not required.

  • Five recommendations address enhanced coordination, cantonal anchoring, regional contact points, hybrid financing models, and integration into training and continuing education.

  • The cantons bear primary responsibility; Health Promotion Switzerland provides coordinating support.

  • Prevention in healthcare is becoming increasingly priority due to demographic change and increasing chronic diseases.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What empirical data demonstrate that the existing legal framework is actually sufficient, and where are concrete implementation gaps in the cantons?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: To what extent could financial incentives from cantons or insurers hinder the prioritization of prevention over curative measures?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: Are insufficient coordination and financing really the main obstacles, or do inadequate professional competence and patient motivation play a larger role?

  4. Feasibility: How are the five recommendations made binding, and what sanction mechanisms exist if cantons do not act?

  5. Financing: What additional resources are required to actually implement the hybrid financing models?

  6. Monitoring: How is the success of prevention in healthcare measured, and what interim targets are defined by 2028?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Council – Press Release "Better Utilization of the Existing Legal Basis for Further Development of Prevention in Healthcare" – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/xdrNAKN2RDYXyWb0RpR-J

Supplementary Sources:

  1. National Strategy for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD Strategy) 2017–2024 (extended to 2028)
  2. Basic Care Agenda – Federal Office of Public Health
  3. Postulates 22.3671 (Wasserfallen Flavia) and 24.4413 (Maret Marianne)

Verification Status: ✓ February 25, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: February 25, 2026