[Interdisciplinary prevention--a critical analysis of the situation]

We witness a general trend towards increasing specialization and particularism. In Switzerland, this is determined in part by historical and political factors. This trend influences especially the fields of biomedical research, education, the functioning of the health system and the protection of the environment. Preventive medicine is confronted with several obstacles. It certainly is not simple to implement interdisciplinary strategies for prevention and health promotion. It is urgent to make additional resources available, through the creation of a Prevention Fund. Integration and interdisciplinarity are to be promoted in pre and postgraduate training, in research and in the administrations. For the Swiss Society for Social and Preventive Medicine, a consequence is that collaboration has to be strengthened with societies and organisations, medical or not, which have similar purposes.