Activity In Switzerland Research Articles

Coverage for platform workers and the self-employed in case of unemployment in Switzerland: Access to protection and ways of improvement

Whether they are self-employed, atypical employees, or self-employed using an umbrella company, there is still almost no social protection against unemployment or partial loss of activity in Switzerland for platform workers. The same can be said for the self-employed in general. This contribution shows that platform workers, irrespective of their exact legal status, and the self-employed in general, risk sanctions for taking on unsuitable work, for being insufficiently available for decent work or unable to prove a loss of income. However hard they try, they cannot even contribute to a voluntary unemployment insurance scheme. We show that the Swiss social protection scheme, a product of years of federal direct democracy, is hardly able to adapt to the fast-moving platform work environment, thus increasing the risks of precariousness and the burden on the cantons’ social assistance for the next generation.

A Swiss Urological Society register of cystectomies to improve surgical quality

In the era of highly specialised medicine, the Swiss Urological Society has set up a national register from January 2019 that will prospectively record all data relating to cystectomies. Doctors will be able to use this information to compare their activities at national level, refine surgical techniques and optimise the perioperative management of cystectomy patients. This article presents the register and provides an initial assessment of cystectomy surgery activity in Switzerland over the first four years of its set up.

Updating national physical activity guidelines based on the global WHO guidelines: experiences and challenges from Switzerland

Physical activity guidelines are recognized as an important element of a national approach to promote physical activity. This publication summarizes the approach and process taken to update the Swiss Guidelines, presents a summary of the updated guidelines and discusses experiences and identifies challenges. The multistage project involved: 1) to summarize the scientific evidence underpinning the 2020-edition of the WHO guidelines; 2) to systematically analyze the existing Swiss guidelines for different target groups and to develop proposals for updates 3) a participatory process to gain consensus with the main interested groups 4) to finalize the guidelines. Updated guidelines were adopted for infants, pre-school children, children and young people, adults, older adults and pregnant and postpartum women, in most cases following the WHO guidelines. Children, young people and adults living with disability and adults and older adults with chronic conditions are specifically addressed in each of the general guidelines for healthy populations, rather than developing separate guidelines for each of these groups as done by the WHO. The systematic approach in identifying aspects to update, the participatory approach and a scientific consortium and project coordination group with different thematic backgrounds were key strengths in the process. Challenges included the large amount of feedback and finding scientifically sound compromises. The updated versions of the Swiss national guidelines provide an excellent basis to further promote physical activity in Switzerland. A remaining key task is to develop a range of communication tools and materials for different target groups beyond the circle of experts and interested groups, considering available evidence on optimal messaging and best outlet tools and channels. To track population prevalence, inform policy and evaluate physical activity promotion at national and sub-national level in a timely fashion, strengthening existing physical activity monitoring will be important.

O.2.2-11 Adapting national physical activity guidelines based on the global WHO guidelines: experiences and challenges from the case of Switzerland

Abstract Physical activity guidelines are recognized as an important element of a national approach to promote physical activity. This publication summarizes the approach and process taken to update the Swiss Guidelines, discusses experiences and identifies challenges. The multistage project involved to: 1) summarize the scientific evidence underpinning the 2020-edition of the WHO guidelines; 2) to systematically analyze the existing Swiss guidelines for different target groups and to develop proposals for updates 3) a participatory process to gain consensus with the main interested groups 4) to finalize the guidelines. Updated guidelines were adopted for infants, pre-school children, children and young people, adults, older adults and pregnant and postpartum women, in most cases adopting the WHO guidelines. Children, young people and adults living with disability and adults and older adults with chronic conditions are specifically addressed in each of the general guidelines, rather than adopting separate guidelines for each of these groups as done by the WHO. The systematic approach in identifying aspects to update, the participatory approach and a strong scientific consortium with different thematic backgrounds were key strengths in the process. Challenges included the large amount of feedback and finding scientifically sound compromises. The updated versions of the Swiss national guidelines for small children, young people, adults and women during and after pregnancy provide an excellent basis to further promote physical activity in Switzerland. A remaining key task is to develop a range of communication tools and materials for different target groups beyond the circle of experts and interested groups, considering available evidence on optimal messaging and best outlet tools and channels.

Seismic Characterization of Swiss Strong-Motion Borehole-Station Sites by Inversion of Full Microtremor Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratios [H/V(z,f)

ABSTRACT The assessment of the local site amplification during an earthquake requires, among other input information, a reliable estimate of the shear-wave velocity profile, including the contact with engineering and seismic bedrocks. We determine the shear-wave velocity (VS) profiles at two Swiss strong-motion borehole-station sites at Visp (Valais) and Buochs (Nidwalden) by inversion of microtremor horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio [H/V(z,f)] curves measured at the surface and at different depths. These borehole stations were built to monitor not only the seismic activity in Switzerland and the surrounding areas but also the nonlinear site response, especially liquefaction processes during strong local and regional earthquakes. The boreholes are equipped with accelerometers at various depths, with the deepest borehole located at 102 m below the surface. In the first part, we review the forward modeling algorithm of the full-microtremor H/V(z,f), with a focus on the computational cost and accuracy. In the second part, we perform a temporal analysis of the H/V(z,f) curves obtained from the accelerometers. The results show seasonal variabilities in H/V between summer and winter. The third part presents the inversions of the H/V curves for a single day in summer and winter at both sites. From the full H/V(z,f) inversion, we obtain shear-wave velocities in the upper 30 m (VS30) of 216 and 209 m/s at Visp in winter and summer, respectively. At Buochs, the corresponding VS30 are 269 and 345 m/s. The depths of the seismic bedrock are at 219 and 210 m at Visp, and at Buochs they are at 293 and 213 m. The estimated velocity profiles compare well with independent estimates from array measurements of ambient seismic vibrations, gravimetry, and geological logging information. Finally, we use the obtained seismic velocity profile information to model the theoretical 1D shear wave transfer function. The latter result compares well with amplification function results obtained using earthquake recordings.

Firm bankruptcies and start-up activity in Switzerland during the COVID-19 crisis

This paper examines the incidence of firm bankruptcies and start-ups in Switzerland based on unique register data. We propose to assess the frequency of bankruptcies over time using the concept of excess mortality. During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 and the first half of 2021, bankruptcy rates were substantially lower as compared to the pre-crisis period. This holds across most industries and regions. The Great Recession and the Swiss Franc Shock showed reverse patterns. Bankruptcies dropped more in industries and cantons, in which the share of firms who received a COVID-19 loan is comparatively high. In winter 2021, bankruptcies rebounded strongly. Since summer 2020, the number of new firm formations has been significantly higher compared to the time before the crisis. This is also in contrast to the previous crises. The strong start-up activity is driven by industries where the pandemic induced structural adjustments.

Money and inflation in Switzerland

This paper characterizes the relationship between monetary aggregates, inflation and economic activity in Switzerland since the mid-1970s. Traditional forms of money demand and quantity theory relationships have remained stable over the whole period. Broad money excesses over trend values, accounting for a secular decline in interest rates and thus in trend velocity, have been followed by persistently higher inflation and output with the usual monetary policy transmission lags. Money and exchange rate fluctuations can explain the major inflation developments in Switzerland over the past four decades.

In the eye of the hurricane: the Swiss COVID-19 pandemic stepwise shutdown approach in organ donation and transplantation.

The Swiss stepwise shutdown approach in organ donation and transplantation helped to maintain a limited national organ procurement and vital organ transplant activity, avoiding a complete nationwide shutdown of organ donation and transplant activity.&nbsp.

Mobility and sales activity during the Corona crisis: daily indicators for Switzerland

This paper documents daily compound indicators on physical mobility and sales activity in Switzerland during the Corona crisis. We report several insights from these indicators: The Swiss population substantially reduced its activities already before the shops closed and before the authorities introduced containment policies in mid-March 2020. Activity started to gradually recover from the beginning of April onwards, again substantially before the first phase of the shutdown easing started at the end of April. Low physical mobility during the second half of March and during April likely contributed to the quick fall in new COVID-19 infections since mid-March. The sharp drop in economic activity in consumer-related services during March and April and the gradual recovery in these sectors since May correlate strongly with the reduction and subsequent gradual resurgence of mobility. In addition, while activity within Switzerland was back to normal levels by late June, activity of Swiss residents outside of Switzerland was still below normal.

Variation of colorectal, breast and prostate cancer screening activity in Switzerland: Influence of insurance, policy and guidelines.

Variation in utilization of healthcare services is influenced by patient, provider and healthcare system characteristics. It could also be related to the evidence supporting their use, as reflected in the availability and strength of recommendations in clinical guidelines. In this study, we analyzed the geographic variation of colorectal, breast and prostate cancer screening utilization in Switzerland and the influence of available guidelines and different modifiers of access. Colonoscopy, mammography and prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing use in eligible population in 2014 was assessed with administrative claims data. We ran a multilevel multivariable logistic regression model and calculated Moran’s I and regional level median odds ratio (MOR) statistics to explore residual geographic variation. In total, an estimated 8.1% of eligible persons received colonoscopy, 22.3% mammography and 31.3% PSA testing. Low deductibles, supplementary health insurance and enrollment in a managed care plan were associated with higher screening utilization. Cantonal breast cancer screening programs were also associated with higher utilization. Spatial clustering was observed in the raw regional utilization of all services, but only for prostate cancer screening in regional residuals of the multilevel model. MOR was highest for prostate cancer screening (1.24) and lowest for colorectal cancer screening (1.16). The reasons for the variation of the prostate cancer screening utilization, not recommended routinely without explicit shared decision-making, could be further investigated by adding provider characteristics and patient preference information. This first cross-comparison of different cancer screening patterns indicates that the strength of recommendations, mediated by specific health policies facilitating screening, may indeed contribute to variation.

Beyond Socially Responsible Investing: Effects of Mission-Driven Portfolio Selection

In their pursuit of value creation, charitable foundations are mission- rather than profit-driven. Therefore, foundations are also mission-driven investors. We explore the effects of mission-driven portfolio selection based on three model foundations, representing common fields of activity in Switzerland. Employing a moving block bootstrap approach, we simulate time series. Based on these model foundations and under the integration of qualitative company rating data, such as environmental, social, and governance-related characteristics (ESG), we find both negative and no significant financial effects of portfolio screening. However, screening portfolios substantially increases mission-driven portfolio quality. Additionally, screening reduces reputational risks and even leptokurtic return characteristics under special consideration of governance issues. After a joint analysis of financial and qualitative factors for portfolios with equity shares of 25% and 50%, we did find strong enough evidence to encourage foundations to implement negative and positive screening criteria. Additionally, we argue that without the integration of mission-based qualitative criteria, for instance, the involvement in business activities contradicting the foundation’s mission, an adequate evaluation of investment opportunities’ desirability is not feasible.

Association between perinatal interventional activity and 2-year outcome of Swiss extremely preterm born infants: a population-based cohort study

ObjectivesTo investigate if centre-specific levels of perinatal interventional activity were associated with neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age in two separately analysed cohorts of infants: cohort A...

Earthquakes in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2013

This report of the Swiss Seismological Service summarizes the seismic activity in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2013. During this period, 699 earthquakes and 208 quarry blasts were detected and located in the region under consideration. With a total of 18 events with local magnitudes ML ≥ 2.5, the seismic activity in the year 2013 was slightly below the average over the previous 38 years. Most noteworthy were the two earthquake sequences of St. Gallen (SG) in July and Balzers (FL) in December. The former was induced by reservoir stimulation operations at the St. Gallen geothermal project. The maximum local magnitude in the sequence was 3.5, comparable in size with the ML 3.4 event induced by stimulation operations below Basel in 2006. The sequence of Balzers was associated with an ML 4.1 earthquake in the border region to Liechtenstein. More than 30 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging between ML −0.2 and ML 3.7 were detected in the month following the mainshock. The ML 3.5 St. Gallen and the ML 4.1 Balzers earthquakes were widely felt by the public but no reports on damages are known. The maximum intensity for both events was IV.

Earthquakes in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2012

This report of the Swiss Seismological Service summarizes the seismic activity in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2012. During this period, 497 earthquakes and 88 quarry blasts were detected and located in the region under consideration. With a total of only 13 events with ML ≥ 2.5, the seismic activity in the year 2012 was far below the average over the previous 37 years. Most noteworthy were the earthquake sequence of Filisur (GR) in January with two events of ML 3.3 and 3.5, the ML 4.2 and ML 3.5 earthquakes at a depth of 32 km below Zug in February and the ML 3.6 event near Vallorcine in October. The epicentral intensity of the ML 4.2 event close to Zug was IV, with a maximum intensity of V reached in a few areas, probably due to site amplification effects.

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: activity in Switzerland compared with surrounding European countries

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a highly specialised procedure used to treat malignancies of the lymphohaematopoietic system as well as some acquired and inherited disorders of the blood. This analysis by the Swiss Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Group, based on data from 2008-2011, describes, treatment rates in Switzerland for specific indications and compares this with data from Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, corrected for the size of the population. Differences in transplant rates, in rates for particular indications, and in the use of specific transplant technologies such as use of unrelated donors, use of cord blood or mismatched family donors are described. These data are put in correlation with donor availability from international registries and with number of transplant teams and number of procedures per team all corrected for population size.

Improved field margins highly increase slug activity in Switzerland

Most field margins on arable land in Switzerland are narrow and intensively managed. As a consequence, field margins generally harbour few plant and animal species. To enhance biodiversity in arable landscapes, sown species-rich field margins, so-called improved field margins, were introduced in 2008 as a part of the Swiss agri-environment scheme. Here, we tested whether improved field margins increase slug activity density. Slug activity density in and next to improved field margins was compared to slug activity in and next to conventional field margins. Over a period of 3 years, slugs were sampled in three regions in northern Switzerland in late spring using bait stations. Our results show that improved field margins have higher slug activity density, of +191 %, than conventional field margins, independently of the region. The predominant slugs were Arion lusitanicus and Deroceras spp. While A. lusitanicus was generally more abundant in field margins than in fields, with intermediate numbers in the adjacent crop margins, Deroceras spp. showed a more even distribution.

Earthquakes in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2011

This report of the Swiss Seismological Service summarizes the seismic activity in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2011. During this period, 522 earthquakes and 92 quarry blasts were detected and located in the region under consideration. With a total of only 10 events with M L ≥ 2.5, the seismic activity in the year 2011 was far below the average over the previous 36 years. Most noteworthy were the earthquake sequence of Sierre (VS) in January, with two events of M L 3.3 and 3.2, the M L 3.3 earthquake at a depth of 31 km below Bregenz, and the M L 3.1 event near Delémont. The two strongest events near Sierre produced shaking of intensity IV.

Earthquakes in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2010

This report of the Swiss Seismological Service summarizes the seismic activity in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2010. During this period, 407 earthquakes and 85 quarry blasts were detected and located in the region under consideration. With a total of only 19 events with ML ≥ 2.5, the seismic activity in the year 2010 was below the average over the previous 35 years. The two most noteworthy earthquakes were the ML 3.4 Barrhorn event near Sankt Niklaus (VS) and the ML 3.0 event of Feldkirch, both of which produced shaking of intensity IV.

Earthquakes in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2009

This report of the Swiss Seismological Service summarizes the seismic activity in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2009. During this period, 450 earthquakes and 68 quarry blasts were detected and located in the region under consideration. The three strongest events occurred about 15 km NW of Basel in southern Germany (ML 4.2), near Wildhaus in the Toggenburg (ML 4.0) and near Bivio in Graubunden (ML 3.5). Although felt by the population, they were not reported to have caused any damage. With a total of 24 events with ML ≥ 2.5, the seismic activity in the year 2009 was close to the average over the previous 34 years.

Allez Hop, a nationwide programme for the promotion of physical activity in Switzerland: what is the evidence for a population impact after one decade of implementation?

ObjectivesTo present evidence for a population impact of a national physical activity promotion programme after a decade of implementation.MethodsThe programme Allez Hop offered local physical activity courses (mainly walking and...