Public Health Cluster

Identify & advise

Based on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and as a further development of the previous expert committees – the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force (2020–2022) and the Scientific Advisory Committee COVID-19 (2022–2024) – the Public Health Cluster is part of the National Network for Scientific Advice, a national structure for scientific policy advice in crises.

The cluster's mission is to identify health risks at an early stage, provide evidence-based analyses and thus strengthen crisis prevention and preparedness in Switzerland in the field of public health. It contributes to the resilience of the system by accelerating the flow of information, supporting informed decisions and, where necessary, assisting in the establishment of a scientific advisory committee.

The members of the cluster undertake to act as honest brokers – impartial scientific mediators who present options and scenarios without making specific policy recommendations. The code of conduct for members of the National Network for Scientific Advice serves as a basis for this (more information about it on the Organisation page).

A modular and responsive structure

The cluster is divided into three permanent sub-clusters and several temporary working groups:

Permanent subclusters

Pathogens

This subcluster is jointly led by Prof. Dr Tanja Stadler (ETH Zurich) and Prof. Dr Samia Hurst (University of Geneva) and deals with emerging or circulating infectious diseases.

Health system

This subcluster is jointly led by Prof. Luca Crivelli (SUPSI) and Prof. Milo Puhan (UZH) and focuses on the resilience of the health system, including shortages of medical personnel and products.

Environmental health risks

This subcluster is led by Prof. Dr. Martin Röösli (Swiss TPH) and deals with the health effects of environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, natural disasters and industrial accidents.

Temporary working groups

Temporary working groups are set up by the steering committee as needed to provide rapid and targeted scientific support on emerging health threats:

Working group H5N1 – Avian influenza

Led by Prof. Dr Richard Neher (University of Basel)
This group brings together experts from virology, epidemiology and public health to monitor and analyse risks associated with the spread of the H5N1 virus. There is regular communication with the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

Radiation Hazards Working Group

This group deals with health risks from radiation exposure, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine. It works closely with the relevant federal agencies, including extra-parliamentary expert commissions on radiation protection.