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There is an important gap in health knowledge about vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups. The development of research projects and the implementation of interventions require strategies adapted to the particularities of these groups. This article reviews some of the main issues through the lens of recent projects conducted in French-speaking Switzerland., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

The theme of health equity was for a long time absent or little addressed in the pre- and postgraduate teaching programs of universities and training university hospitals in Switzerland. This gap has gradually been filled by the development and provision of structured teaching on health equity, adapted to the needs of their target audiences. This article aims to highlight a selection of teachings that have emerged in recent years in the French-speaking part of Switzerland., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

The use of the concept "health equity" is more and more widespread. It is often considered as a major objective in health policies aimed at improving healthcare for populations in a vulnerable situation. However, the understanding of "health equity" is often subject to confusion and it can be misinterpreted with the concept of "health equality". Although it may seem trivial at first sight, such confusion may lead to serious consequences for health policies and their implementation with the target populations. This article aims to provide a clarification of the concept of "health equity", while proposing definitions that are more suitable to the needs of professionals and their audience., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) is a computer modelling technique that simulates the behaviour and interactions of autonomous agents within a virtual environment. Applied to health equity, this technique allows for a better understanding of the complex social and economic determinants that contribute to health inequities and enables the evaluation of the potential effects of public policies on the latter. Despite some limitations related to the accessibility and quality of health data and the complexity of the models, ABM appears to be a promising tool in the field of health equity, both for researchers in public or community health and for policy makers., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

In June 2021, the Swiss parliament accepted a legislative proposal calling for the introduction of a fee to fight emergency department (ED) overcrowding. Although this issue remains a major challenge for health policies, the introduction of such a fee raises many questions, notably regarding health equity. However, other more equitable solutions exist: improving the case management of ED frequent users and improving coordination between ED and primary care., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Competing Interests: Intérêts concurrents: Aucun déclaré.

Climate change and forced migration are two major global health concerns. They are closely related, with climate change causing an increasing number of forced migrants. Natural disasters, sea-level rising or land aridification are examples of consequences of climate change that have an impact on forced migration. Moreover, the health of forced migrants can be directly affected by climate change, during the migration process or in the host country. The absence of a legal status of « climate refugee » can be an important barrier of access to health care. These vulnerable populations are among the first to be affected, which is an important health equity issue., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

The new catalogue of objectives for medical education at Swiss universities (PROFILES) underlines the importance of teaching the impact of ethnic, cultural, spiritual and religious differences and the socio-economic determinants of health and illness on health and care. At the same time, the social reality of the moment reminds us that racism is still present in our societies. Therefore, education for medical students is necessary. This should include basic knowledge but also, and above all, an understanding of the underlying mechanisms that will enable them to grasp the notions of prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. Finally, introspection, the acquisition of cross-cultural skills and cultural humility will help to deal with this other epidemic., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

The current new coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of taking into consideration population groups particularly at risk of contracting Covid-19 disease or developing severe forms of the disease. The medical literature, the press and the authorities have thus stepped up the use of the expression « vulnerable populations » in recent weeks to refer to it. However, behind this general expression there are diverse but often interdependent realities whose specific consideration and understanding seem essential for the effective management of the epidemic and its health and socio-economic consequences., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.