[Health promotion and prevention in municipalities : levers and actions]

Health is determined by the quality of and access to the healthcare system, but more importantly by the characteristics of the social and physical environment in which individuals live. Actions to promote health can be integrated into public policies, especially at the local level. In Switzerland, local authorities do not always have their own competencies in the field of health, but they can act to improve living conditions and promote access to healthcare. In this sense, healthcare professionals have an important role to play in health promotion by initiating, supporting, and participating in collaborations with municipalities, as demonstrated by the creation of health centers. This article provides an overview of the general framework for health promotion at the municipality level and some examples of collaborations.