As Switzerland’s ageing population continues to increase, researchers are turning to new health metrics to address gaps in the country’s understanding of population health. A recent study, published in August 2024, focuses on “functioning” as a critical metric alongside mortality and morbidity. This approach aims to provide a more comprehensive view of public health by looking beyond traditional health indicators, such as disease prevalence and death rates, to include how well people function in their daily lives. The findings were published in the International Journal of Public Health.
Researchers from the University of Lucerne and Swiss Paraplegic Research led the study, which identified gaps in current health data that prevent a complete understanding of how people function across various health domains. Functioning is defined in terms of body functions, activities, and social participation, and it reflects a person’s ability to perform tasks and engage with their environment. This data is particularly crucial in an ageing society, where non-communicable diseases and chronic conditions are on the rise, putting more pressure on healthcare systems, particularly in rehabilitation and long-term care.
Switzerland, like many European nations, is facing an unprecedented demographic shift. By 2050, 30% of the Swiss population is expected to be 65 years or older, with nearly half of them living with at least one chronic illness. Traditional health metrics, such as morbidity and mortality, do not capture the lived experience of these individuals, particularly in terms of their functional capacity and quality of life. The new research argues that this gap can lead to an underestimation of healthcare needs, particularly in rehabilitation services.
To tackle this issue, the researchers explored four primary sources of functioning data: the Swiss Health Survey (SHS), the Lausanne Cohort 65+ (Lc65+), the Swiss Household Panel (SHP), and the Swiss part of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). While each of these surveys collects valuable data on functioning, the study found inconsistencies in how data is gathered and the scope of what is included. For example, while all the surveys assess factors such as sleep quality, energy levels, and emotional well-being, the methods and metrics used differ, making it difficult to create a unified functioning indicator for Switzerland.
The researchers argue that a standardised “functioning” indicator would complement traditional health statistics and provide a clearer picture of population health. This indicator would help health policymakers estimate the demand for services such as rehabilitation and long-term care, which are expected to rise significantly in the coming decades as the population ages.
Switzerland is well-positioned to lead the way in developing such an indicator, given its strong infrastructure for population health data. However, the study highlights the need for further refinement in how data on functioning is collected, particularly in making it more comparable across different sources. Doing so would allow for the creation of functioning metrics that can be used alongside morbidity and mortality statistics to better understand the health challenges facing Switzerland’s ageing population.
