Education and research in Graubünden
Being and staying healthy
Research for our health
SIAF, the AO Foundation in Davos and the Swiss Research Institute for Sports Medicine are just three institutions where experienced experts and emerging young researchers help shape our future. They do so by asking themselves every day: how can we safeguard our well-being and health over the long term? Which research projects can support us? Important core fields include allergies and asthma, sport and orthopaedics.
The desire for the best possible health is strong throughout Switzerland, and the coronavirus pandemic intensified it further. According to a study, every medical practice in the country treated more than 1'000 patients in 2022. People aged 26 to 35 are especially frequent visitors to general practitioners and specialists. Generations Z and Y do a great deal for their own well-being, but they also expect appropriate services to be available.
Concentrated expertise in Switzerland's largest canton
Graubünden plays a special role. Not only does its magnificent natural environment provide ideal conditions for holidays and recovery, but Switzerland's largest canton is also home to some of the country's leading institutions and organisations specialising in research and education in medicine and health. The AO Research Institute Davos (ARI), for example, is regarded as a leading innovator in the surgical treatment of bone fractures and diseases. Around 20'000 surgeons working in trauma, spine, craniomaxillofacial, veterinary and reconstructive surgery now belong to the organisation's network.
Cooperation makes innovation possible
The Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) is also based in Davos. Its work focuses on preventive and curative approaches to allergic and asthmatic diseases. DAViS was also established in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Graubünden. The Centre for Data Analytics, Visualization and Simulation brings research, industry and teaching in data analysis and scientific computing together in one place. In typical Graubünden fashion, researchers also investigate the use of artificial intelligence, for example in mountain rescue and in examining why elite athletes are more susceptible to infections even though exercise is healthy. More will soon be revealed about the Davos Mile as a laboratory in the heart of the Alpine natural environment.
Research driven by innovation and improvement
In Landquart, microtechnology is also on the curriculum for students and researchers. CSEM is recognised internationally as a technology innovation centre and operates six locations across Switzerland. The Ticino-based University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) has also established a presence in the town of 9'000 inhabitants. Its Rehabilitation and Exercise Science Laboratory (RESlab) is a state-of-the-art human research laboratory focused on physiological mechanisms, always with the aim of testing and, wherever possible, improving the effectiveness of therapies and rehabilitation measures. Physiotherapy students are trained in the adjacent facilities at the same time.
Get involved now
Graubünden offers a wide range of research and continuing-education opportunities in health and medicine. Together with medical partners such as the Cantonal Hospital of the Grisons in Chur and the medical campus incorporating the Hochgebirgsklinik Davos, there is potential to translate research directly into treatment. Fresh air and recreation are waiting just outside the door. So why not study, conduct research and live a healthy life here?
