Early support and prevention pay off. Health-promoting environments and behaviors in childhood have a major impact on health and satisfaction later in life. It is indisputable that unequal access to healthcare and education during early childhood leads to inequality in skills, accomplishments, health, and general success in adult life.

The Swiss Public Health Conference 2019 will be delving into these connections. On the basis of the lifetime perspective, experts will discuss the current state of development in Switzerland and put forward potential consequences. However, data is often missing in order to be able to intervene in a targeted manner. For this reason, the gaps in Switzerland will be examined and ongoing studies in other European countries will be presented.

The digital transformation constitutes another challenge for the health sector and will also be a topic at the conference. Digitalization can be used for positive public healthcare interventions. However, media skills are necessary in order to effectively navigate the digital society. With this in mind, we will need to adapt the health strategies for the new generation and pursue new solutions.

We would like to present research results and practical experiences relating to this wide range of topics to you at the Swiss Public Health Conference 2019. Our aim is to point out gaps and potential for optimization and to urge politicians and authorities to act. To conclude the conference, a joint manifesto on child and adolescent health will be adopted. After all, the next generation should be given the best possible conditions for a good start in life.

Best regards,

Ursula Zybach, President Swiss Society for Public Health

Nino Künzli, Director Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+) und Deputy Director Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH)

Andreas Gerber-Grote, Director Health Professions Department, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Scientific Director of the conference