Health has always been an issue in foreign policy but in the modern, interconnected world of today its prominence has become even further extenuated. The HIV/AIDS pandemic, SARS, efforts to improve preparedness for bioterrorism, and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control all provide recent examples where health concerns have mixed with trans-border politics. The World Health Report, 2007 addresses the issue of International Health Security and since 2005 States have been called upon to implement the International Health Regulations. The International Health Regulations provide a framework for global cooperation to control infectious diseases and can be applied to all events that could pose a threat to public health.

The growing significance of health presents new challenges and opportunities for Swiss foreign policy. Until now, Switzerland has tended to address health issues in her foreign policy in an indirect manner, and to consider them primarily part of health and development cooperation policy. Furthermore, the Swiss development cooperation scene is very diverse and comprised of a relatively high number of actors including seco, SDC, the Swiss Red Cross and several NGOs. The activities of the different agencies with regards to international health were not always streamlined.

Following a decision by the Federal Council to improve the coordination and coherence of Swiss foreign policy SDC and the Federal Office for Public Health (OFSP/BAG) in collaboration with other federal departments developed a first foreign policy in the domain of health. This pioneering health foreign policy (Gesundheitsaussenpolitik GAP) covers areas for which federal departments other than the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs are primarily responsible and has now been in place since 2006.

The objectives and priorities of GAP include the health interests of the Swiss population, coordination of national and international health policy, enhanced harmonisation of Swiss development cooperation in health – also vis-à-vis Global Health Initiatives, greater investment in health research and an improved global health situation. Issues covered range from health system strengthening, health workforce migration, the cross-border dimension of food safety, the safety of medicines and chemicals, radiation protection and safety at work, to aspects of environmental policy.

Introduction by: SCIH, Swiss Tropical Institute (2008)