Research in Public Health
«With its excellent research, the Institute of Public Health makes a measurable contribution to knowledge gain and knowledge transfer in teaching, practice and politics. It anticipates socially relevant topics and needs and contributes to the health and empowerment of the population in Switzerland and beyond. It takes a life-span perspective in its projects and addresses (digital) change in society and the environment, as well as equal opportunities in health promotion, prevention and healthcare.»
Julia Dratva, Head of Research and Development Institute of Public Health
Research at the Institute of Public Health designs and conducts studies on population health, health promotion and prevention, as well as healthcare.
At the Institute of Public Health, research focuses on:
- Health promotion and prevention from a behavioural and situational perspective
- Monitoring and surveillance of health
- Health systems and healthcare across different contexts and life stages
Key research subjects
Conducted by a multidisciplinary team, our research spans a diverse range of topics and methodological approaches. Our key research subjects are:
Child and Adolescent Health (CAH) Children's and youth public health
How healthy are children and young people? What factors affect their health, and which (digital) measures can promote it?
We address these and similar questions through projects on child and youth public health. This includes mental health, health literacy of children, parents, and other key figures in childhood and adolescence, as well as data and health monitoring.
Together with colleagues from the ZHAW Child and Youth Public Health Research (CYPHER) competence network, we conduct interdisciplinary research on health and well-being of this age group.
Education, work, and health
What health problems do working people face? How high is the psychological stress among students? What legal and operational frameworks are needed to protect and promote the health of working people and trainees?
These and similar questions are central to the study of education, work, and health. As an interdisciplinary team, we combine the perspectives of various social and health sciences.
Setting-oriented health promotion
Setting-oriented health promotion aims to create health-promoting structures in environments such as schools, workplaces (including healthcare) and communities. It considers not only the behaviour of individuals, but also the social and societal conditions that influence their health.
Participatory approaches involve local actors in developing and implementing health-promoting measures. Here, the aim is sustainable change that improves health for all and reduces social and health inequalities.
Moreover, we focuse on application-oriented research in the field, professional practices (professional conduct, methods, effectiveness) and aspects of professional ethics, equal opportunities and access to training and further education in health promotion.
- Studie Suizidversuche bei LGBTQ+–Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen (in German and French)
Interprofessionality in teaching and practice
Interprofessional teaching and practical interdisciplinary collaboration are inseparable. On the one hand, we focus on the targeted acquisition of skills by students, practitioners and teachers, both in schools/universities and in practical training. On the other hand, we examine the effects of interprofessional education and collaboration among health professions on the healthcare system.
Our work is guided by the discussion paper «Guidance on Global Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Research».
Projects and publications
Our reference projects are current projects that demonstrate the methodological and thematic breadth of Public Health.
All projects and publications are listed in the ZHAW project database by start and publication date
Partners and clients
Together with colleagues from the ZHAW networks CYPHER, Applied Gerontology (AGE+) and Digital Health Lab, as well as various ZHAW departments, we conduct interdisciplinary research on a variety of topics.
With our national and international research partners, we develop research questions relevant to public health, conduct joint studies and disseminate the results at conferences and via scientific media. For clients and practice partners, we develop research designs, conduct studies and document the results as requested. We accompany and evaluate projects and development processes.
To this end, we have a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methods at our disposal, as well as modern infrastructure and research tools. Our expertise in public health topics and methods is complemented by interdisciplinary networking within the ZHAW and our close collaboration with international experts in various fields.
Research team
Our multidisciplinary team includes qualified scientists in sociology, psychology, public health, medicine, physiotherapy, and economics. The team has broad expertise in both quantitative-statistical and qualitative research methods.
We transfer new knowledge through collaboration with field partners, scientific conference contributions, events and publications for the general public, and teaching.
