Healthcare in Switzerland is the world’s most expensive. While in most cantons it is expensive, in the canton of Valais, it is unaffordable.
Switzerland’s GPD per capita is SFr90,131 (US$112,966). By comparison, America’s is US$85,810 some 24% lower. The GDP per capita for the cantons varies widely with the highest (Basel-Stadt) some 233% above the national average, and the lowest (Uri) at 65% of the national average and 28% of that of Basel-Stadt[1]Gross domestic product per canton and region.
Valais is the country’s second poorest canton, with a GDP per capita that is 68% of the national average. The poorest are provided for by the canton, as provided for in the legislation, but for the many low income earners healthcare is beyond their means.
This is the responsibility of the Cantonal doctor. In May we made and offer of a demonstration of the HRV technology and how it can help in addressing the cost of healthcare in the Canton.
Personnel costs in Switzerland are high. This is where the technology can both improve services and lower expenses.
HRV provides real-time data of the impact of life-style on people’s health. It also shows the impact of environmental factors.
For example, during the winter months, the Valais air quality index (AQI) is high[2]Sion air quality map and this impacts the population’s health – but the current health statistics only reflect the data of people who require medical attention. The HRV data would provide a real time impact study of the AQI on the whole population, offering a real incentive to take action.
Another problem in Valais is the prevalence of alcohol dependency. Again, HRV offers a solution for people in recovery. The daily feedback that HRV data provides enables carers to monitor the health of people whom they are supporting during and after recovery.
For people who are in remission from cancer, HRV gives daily feedback on whether the cancer is back, so relieving the stress between the hospital check-ups and provides early feedback in the event of a recurrence. This saves lives.
There are numerous studies[3]Heart Rate Variability as a Prognostic Factor for Cancer Survival – A Systematic Review confirming that people who suffer from cancer show abnormal HRV patterns. Measuring HRV daily offers early detection, dramatically improving survival outcomes.
In Switzerland 53.6% of the population is either overweight or obese[4]Obesity is rising worldwide. The officials at the FOPH appear satisfied that this figure is unchanged since 2002. But in Spain and France, where health officials are concerned about the population’s health, the percentage of people who are overweight or obese is dropping, in France’s case by 18.2%.
Data are invaluable in determining strategy.
Had the world’s medical experts looked at the data, before adopting the 17th century strategies adopted for the great plague, the Covid pandemic could have been addressed much more effectively, and probably with lower mortality. Early in the pandemic it was evident that the countries suffering the highest hospitalisation and mortality rates also have the highest obesity rates.
After the event, the statistics confirmed that 87% of people who succumbed to the virus had at least one other co-morbidity[5]HRV and COVID-19. Age was not the primary determinant. It was the strength of people’s immune system, and it was this measure that could and should have been used to determine who to isolate and vaccinate.
HRV measures the strength of a person’s immune system, and the technology offered a far more cost effective solution to deal with the pandemic. We proposed our services to the FOPH, and they declined.
With the significant benefits on offer one would imagine the Cantonal doctor would be determined to see if the technology can live up to the promise. It appears not. Without any explanation, he declined our offer to provide a demonstration on how HRV can lower health care costs and improve the Canton’s health strategies.
We hope he has something better.