A Life for Global Health: Book Launch Celebrates Marcel Tanner’s Legacy

Born in Basel in 1952, Marcel Tanner is one of Switzerland’s most influential epidemiologists, who shaped global health significantly as Director of Swiss TPH (1997–2015) and as an advisor to international organisations. His career has been defined by a tireless commitment to combating diseases of poverty such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and parasitic worm infections. He became widely known to the general public in Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic as head of the Public Health expert group within the national task force.

The author Lukas Meier, historian and managing director of the R. Geigy Foundation, uses Tanner’s life story as a lens through which to narrate the evolution of global health over the past forty years. Published by Hier und Jetzt in Zurich, the biography weaves together personal and scientific perspectives, drawing attention to key structural themes: building strong institutions, fostering robust international partnerships, investing in education, and ensuring reliable financing for health programmes. 

The book launch on 21 May 2025 was opened by Eva Herzog, President of the Swiss TPH Board of Governors and Member of the Council of States for Basel-Stadt. In her tribute, she stated: "Marcel Tanner not only shaped Swiss TPH, he also influenced global health – with scientific excellence, political acumen, great passion and, above all, the deep conviction that real progress can only be achieved together."

This was followed by a panel discussion with Sabine Hegglin (organic farmer and daughter of Marcel Tanner), Ueli Mäder (sociologist, University of Basel), author Lukas Meier, and Marcel Tanner himself on biographical turning points, current challenges, and the future of global health. Amid growing budget cuts – specifically under the Trump administration, but also, for example, at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) – the progress made since the turn of the millennium is increasingly under threat.

"We are at the end of a golden era Global health programmes are being cut, partnerships are under pressure. I hope this event will help raise awareness of our shared responsibility, encouraging us to work together to find new solutions and sources of funding so that international efforts can continue," said Lukas Meier.

The event was accompanied by music from Nubya, a long-time friend of Tanner’s. The evening concluded with a reception at which researchers, policymakers and friends paid tribute to Marcel Tanner’s life’s work.