How we work
What sets us apart is how we work – from discovery to action. Our work moves in partnership across disciplines, sectors and borders to ensure that knowledge leads to better health outcomes.
From discovery to action
 | DiscoveryWe develop new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines, advancing our understanding of how diseases emerge, spread, and can be stopped. |
 | EvidenceWe generate scientific evidence through controlled studies in real-world settings, proving what works and why. |
 | ActionWe work alongside policymakers, practitioners and communities to ensure our findings shape decisions and innovations reach the people who need them.
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Working across disciplines
Global health challenges require integrated approaches. Swiss TPH brings together expertise across disciplines, including infection biology, epidemiology, clinical medicine, social sciences, data science and health policy.
Our focus areas
Our work focuses on five global health priorities:
- Climate and Environment – Investigating how environmental change affects health, and developing strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
- Infectious Diseases – Improving prevention, diagnostics and treatment to combat diseases with a high burden in vulnerable communities.
- Non-Communicable Diseases – Strengthening prevention, early detection and management of chronic conditions.
- Societal and Cultural Context – Understanding the social, behavioural and cultural factors that shape health outcomes and access to care.
- Systems and Policies – Supporting resilient health systems and evidence-based policymaking to improve health care delivery.
Partnership at the heart of everything we do
Progress in global health depends on collaboration. Swiss TPH works closely with governments, ministries of health, international organisations, academic institutions, NGOs and private sector partners.
Long-term partnerships in countries such as Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Laos, Papua New Guinea and Peru enable us to combine scientific expertise with local knowledge and ensure sustainable impact.
Swiss TPH also hosts three WHO Collaborating Centres, contributing technical expertise to global health policy, disease control and training.
Quality, ethics and governance
Our work is guided by robust frameworks for quality management, ethical research and responsible partnerships. These ensure that our activities meet international standards and that results are credible, reliable and applicable in practice.