Publications

The pandemic may have affected the daily lives and development of the youngest children through infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, sometimes with persistent symptoms (post-COVID), but also through its impact on other aspects of their health (anxiety, sleep quality, withdrawal, changes in socialisation and learning, etc.).Over several years, the SEROCoV-KIDS study is assessing the extent to which the pandemic has had an influence on the physical and mental health, well-being, development, education, socio-economic and family environment, and lifestyle of children and adolescents.

While work can have a beneficial effect on health, work-related illnesses are many and varied (cancers, respiratory ailments, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological, anxiety and depression disorders, etc.).

Reducing air pollution, improving indoor air quality, reducing exposure to noise, facilitating walking and other physical activity, organising environmentally-friendly public transport accessible to all, encouraging soft mobility (pedestrian zones, cycle paths), developing green spaces and encouraging short production and consumption circuits: these are just some of the major environmental health issues today, in the light of the climate challenges. The Specchio study is helping to provide a better understanding of the impact of environmental factors on health, and to guide decisions in favour of a high-quality environment for all.

Non-communicable diseases are non-contagious conditions, the most common of which are heart and circulatory diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic diseases of the lungs, muscles and joints. Since 1992, the Bus Santé study has been using various health tests and questionnaires to determine the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, i.e. the number of cases in the Geneva population at a given time, as well as the risk and protective factors for these diseases (diet, lifestyle, sporting activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption, etc.).

The aim is to study the determinants that influence individual health behaviours in terms of physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and other substances (drugs, tranquillisers, etc.), as well as failure to seek healthcare. These data are useful for implementing prevention and health promotion policies for the population as a whole or for more specific sub-groups. It can also be used to guide public institutions in developing measures to promote health for all.

Sleep is both an indicator of health and a factor associated with the onset of various diseases. The data collected will enable us to determine the prevalence of sleep disorders in the population and to identify the possible causes. Many factors can be a source of stress and anxiety. The work-life balance, economic issues, mental workload, the impact of digital technology and screens on our daily lives, diet and many other health behaviours can all be detrimental to sleep quality, in most cases resulting in frequent insomnia or waking up at night.

The repeated serological tests and epidemiological monitoring carried out as part of our studies are designed to determine changes over time in the seroprevalence rate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the Geneva population and to study the immune dynamics associated with SARS-CoV-2, as well as the lifespan and degree of protection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

The data collected enables us to determine prevalence, i.e. to estimate the number of existing cases of mental health illnesses and disorders in the Geneva population. It will also enable us to identify the sub-groups most at risk, as well as the risk factors and protective factors associated with these illnesses. This data will be used to guide public health policies and optimise the healthcare system.

The proportion of older people in the Swiss population is growing. The data collected through the Specchio study will provide a better understanding of the factors that promote healthy ageing, as well as those that can lead to disabling limitations or even pathologies in the elderly population. This will make it possible to determine what promotional and preventive measures are needed to ensure that the population as a whole ages in good health.

The SEROCoV-Schools study provided a better understanding of the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus among children aged 1-2 to 6-7 attending crèches and schools in the canton of Geneva. This longitudinal study began in March 2021. It included a surveillance component throughout the school year and an investigation component, if one or more cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred within a class. The results obtained will be useful for implementing an infection control policy in schools and nurseries based on scientific evidence, and thereby reducing the risk of infection among children and those around them.

The term "long COVID" (or post COVID) describes the disease in people for whom symptoms persist several weeks or months after infection with SARS-CoV-2 (loss of taste or smell, cough, fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, etc.). The data collected over time as part of our studies is helping to improve our knowledge of this new disease and its risk factors. You can also consult RAFAEL, the HUG's post-COVID information platform.

To date, vaccination has been identified as the best means of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. The monitoring carried out through our studies makes it possible to determine the percentage of people vaccinated and the impact of vaccination campaigns over time. It also enables us to understand the determinants of the choice of vaccination and to study changes in perceptions over time. Taking vaccination status into account also makes it possible to study the risk of reinfection after vaccination or after a first 'natural' infection.