Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+)

Background

The Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+) is a non-profit foundation established in 2005, uniting the public health expertise of 14 Swiss universities. Its mission is to promote equitable health through higher education, research, and knowledge transfer. SSPH+ serves as a "virtual inter-university faculty," assembling over 260 professors in public health sciences across Switzerland. This collaborative approach strengthens public health by initiating and supporting academic activities that individual universities might not undertake independently.

Key Strategic Focus

SSPH+ focuses on three strategic pillars:

1. Teaching & Education: Fostering high-quality higher education and training collaborations to develop a skilled public health workforce locally, nationally, and internationally.

2. Inter-university Research: Facilitating and promoting interdisciplinary, trans-institutional research to strengthen public health both nationally and internationally.

3. Science to Policy & Practice: Supporting the translation and dissemination of public health science to policy, practice, and the public.

Financials and Funding

As a non-profit foundation, SSPH+ is primarily funded by its partner universities and other stakeholders. While specific financial details are not publicly disclosed, the foundation's funding model ensures the sustainability of its mission and activities. In 2024, SSPH+ reported significant progress in its initiatives, reflecting the effective utilization of its resources.

Pipeline Development

SSPH+ does not develop products or services in the traditional sense; instead, it focuses on academic and research initiatives. Notable projects include:

GlobalP3HS Programme: An innovative doctoral program that recruited and trained students from around the world to strengthen the global public health workforce. The program emphasized interdisciplinary research addressing public health topics with a focus on improving health globally. Key outcomes included 49 students from 32 countries completing the program, with research leading to around 300 academic and lay publications.

Swiss Cohort and Biobank: A long-term study aiming to collect comprehensive health, lifestyle, environmental, and biological data from 100,000 people across Switzerland. This initiative seeks to provide important evidence on the long-term influence and benefit of measures in various policy domains, support international collaboration in chronic disease research, and strengthen pandemic preparedness.

Technological Platform and Innovation

SSPH+ leverages several technological platforms and innovative approaches:

Public Health Academic Ranking (PHAR): A bibliometric-based ranking system designed specifically for schools of public health. In 2024, SSPH+ was ranked 4th out of 26 ranked schools, just after the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Public Health Foundation of India, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Smarter Health Care Network: A collaborative initiative that brings together members from the Federal Office of Public Health, the Swiss Personalized Health Network, and other stakeholders to advance health services research and knowledge translation. The network focuses on building a strong foundation for advancing health services research and knowledge translation, connecting researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

Leadership Team

SSPH+ is governed by a Foundation Board and managed by a Directorate. The leadership team includes:

Milo Puhan: President of the SSPH+ Foundation Board and Director of the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute (EBPI) at the University of Zurich.

Nicole Probst-Hensch: SSPH+ Academic Co-Director and affiliated with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), University of Basel.

Murielle Bochud: SSPH+ Academic Co-Director and affiliated with Unisanté, University of Lausanne.

Competitor Profile

SSPH+ operates in the academic and research sector, focusing on public health education and research. Its primary competitors include other public health institutions and universities both within Switzerland and internationally. Notably, in the Public Health Academic Ranking (PHAR) of 2024, SSPH+ was ranked 4th out of 26 ranked schools, just after the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Public Health Foundation of India, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

SSPH+ collaborates with various national and international organizations to enhance its impact:

Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN): An initiative established by the Swiss government to develop personalized medicine and health in Switzerland by harmonizing health data. SSPH+ contributes to this initiative, aligning with its mission to promote equitable health through research and knowledge transfer.

Smarter Health Care Network: A collaborative initiative that brings together members from the Federal Office of Public Health, the Swiss Personalized Health Network, and other stakeholders to advance health services research and knowledge translation. The network focuses on building a strong foundation for advancing health services research and knowledge translation, connecting researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

Operational Insights

SSPH+ distinguishes itself through its collaborative model, uniting public health expertise from multiple universities to address complex health issues. This approach allows for a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on public health challenges, setting it apart from institutions with a more singular focus. The foundation's emphasis on education, research, and policy translation ensures that its initiatives are both scientifically rigorous and practically applicable.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, SSPH+ aims to:

Expand Collaborative Networks: By strengthening existing partnerships and forming new ones, SSPH+ seeks to enhance its research capabilities and broaden its impact on public health policy and practice.

Enhance Educational Programs: Developing and offering new educational programs, particularly in emerging areas of public health, to equip the next generation of public health professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Advance Research Initiatives: Continuing to lead and participate in innovative research projects, such as the Swiss Cohort and Biobank, to provide valuable insights into public health trends and inform evidence-based policy decisions.