Concept on health promotion about the unemployed in Switzerland

Unemployment is a relatively new phenomena for Switzerland. Compared with other countries our unemployment rate of approximately 4% is rather low. Among the unemployed we found similar health problems as in other countries. The health situation of the unemployed forces us to take more notice of their problems. In our federalist country many national, cantonal and local institutions are treating social and health questions, but no one is responsible for the health problems of the unemployed, resulting in ineffective interventions. In order to change this situation we have developed a national concept of health promotion for the unemployed and are seeking to implement it. Three areas of health promotion for the unemployed and their families: Services within existing, and if need, newly created institutions, which can range from counselling to triage and further referral; Health modules in existing occupational programs and formation courses as an introduction to the health problems of the unemployed; Special health courses for the unemployed with in depth treatment of health questions. Realisation steps of the concept: Sensitisation of the responsible institutions and persons; Systematic documentation of existing resources and structures; Elaboration of the course concepts and documents; Carrying out of pilot projects; Set-up of an infrastructure on the national, cantonal and local level.