The three year full- and part-time Bachelor degree programme in Health Promotion and Prevention was introduced for the first time in Switzerland in autumn 2016. 

The degree programme offers the only basic education in health promotion and prevention in Switzerland. It focuses on the implementation of public health interventions for various populations. The learning outcomes are based on European standards of professionalism for health promotion and prevention, and address the need for skilled professionals in Switzerland. The course is integrated into the Institute of Public Health at ZHAW. This enables a connection to applied research and development as well as to the Specialist Units for «Interdisciplinary Teaching and Practice» and «Corporate Health Management».

The healthcare system of the future is facing major challenges: chronic diseases and the demand for health services increase due to demographic change. Therapeutic innovations are constantly evolving, the economisation of the healthcare system is intensifying, the individualisation of society is increasing and the self-perception of healthcare users is changing. At the same time, it is becoming apparent that in the future it will be difficult to meet the demand for qualified healthcare professionals.

The Interprofessional Education searches for answers to questions involving such issues as transformation processes in professional practice, training, further training and continuing education. It ensures that students of various bachelor courses at the ZHAW School of Public Health learn from, with and about each other, as well as acquire interdisciplinary skills.

The Public Health Research designs and implements clinical and interdisciplinary studies. Its major focus is on the health system and healthcare research, i.e. the scientific study of the care of individuals and the population using health-related products and services. Key subjects include the evaluation of the need for care provisions in various contexts in the healthcare system such as mental health, quality of healthcare services, education research for health professions, patient information, health promotion/prevention as well as diagnostics and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. The Public Health Research participates in the transfer of information by collaborating with practice partners and internationally renowned universities of applied sciences.

Our specialists have vast expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods are part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists from various disciplines in social sciences and public health, including sociology, psychology, public health and economics.

We offer you sustainable solutions to practical questions on the issues of health and work with our expertise in public health, health psychology, human resources, organisational development and change management.

The Specialist Unit for Corporate Health Management is part of the Institute of Public Health at the School of Public Health at ZHAW. This organisational form offers a wide range of possibilities for cooperation with other institutes, schools and specialists at ZHAW.

Since 2014 the ZHAW School of Public Health has been awarded the «Friendly Work Space» label from Health Promotion Switzerland for its efforts in the field of CHM.

The team at the Specialist Unit for CHM offers support to other departments at ZHAW and to third parties to establish and implement CHM. Services offered include the design and implementation of programmes to address CHM-relevant priority issues.

Our research team offers the following services to clients and practice partners:

• Applied research and development in healthcare research
• Concept development and consulting

We generate evidence on population health, train public health and healthcare professionals of the future and develop innovative and sustainable solutions for equitable healthcare, health and well-being of the population.

With its activities, the Institute of Public Health strengthens equitable health promotion and health care at both national and European level with the aim of achieving the best possible population health.

We have a fourfold mandate to provide teaching, research, services and continuing education. Our institute is currently responsible for the only Bachelor's degree course in health promotion and prevention in Switzerland. In addition, we are also home to the Interprofessional Teaching and Practice Unit and the Occupational Health Management Unit.

• Bachelor in Health Promotion and Prevention
• Interprofessional teaching and practice units
• Continuing education in Public Health
• Public Health Research
• Services
• Company health management
   

We are a team of scientists and practitioners from various health, social science, humanities and medical disciplines and professions. We work closely together on an inter-, trans- and multidisciplinary basis, always with the same goal of strengthening public health.