In 2023, 5.1% of the Swiss population went without a necessary healthcare service for financial reasons. This percentage fluctuated around 3% between 2015 and 2022.
People at risk of poverty (11.9%), people with no post-compulsory education (11.2%) and foreign nationals (9.5%) are more likely to be affected.
This indicator is part of the Monitoring System Addiction and NCD (MonAM) of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
All population groups should have equal opportunities to access healthcare and to achieve the best life expectancy. Disadvantaged population groups frequently make insufficient or inappropriate use of necessary healthcare services. Affordable access to the healthcare system’s services for the affected persons is therefore one of the goals of the strategy of the Federal Office of Public Health.This serves as a basis to help plan appropriate measures.
The indicator shows the percentage of the population that for financial reasons went without a medical or dental care service although it was necessary. It is based on data from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) and is updated on a yearly basis.
Persons interviewed (aged 16 and over) indicated whether in the past 12 months they had not had a medical or dental treatment and check-up although it was necessary. They were then asked for the main reason for going without this particular treatment or visit. The first of the eight possible answers is “for financial reasons (too expensive) or not covered by insurance”.
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Tel. +41 58 462 95 05
media@bag.admin.ch
Tel. +41 58 463 60 45
obsan@bfs.admin.ch
https://www.obsan.admin.ch/en/contact
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