Spain is an excellent illustration of how strong public health outcomes can be achieved without a well-established healthcare system. Spain is regarded as one of the world's healthiest countries, with the highest life expectancy and other associated indicators.
Various reports predict that people born in this European country live an average of 83 years. The world's highest life expectancy was 85 years. This value is not only higher in Spain than in most other countries, but it is also on the rise.
The statistic has steadily increased over the last decade, with a three-year gap between 2009 and 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 made an exception, bringing the Spanish population's life expectancy back to 2012 levels.
What supports the healthiness of Spain?
While some health-related indices in Spain, such as cigarette and alcohol usage, are comparable to those in other European nations, several positive lifestyle variables distinguish Spaniards.
With a climate that promotes the cultivation of a wide range of fruits and vegetables, the Spanish people usually eat a Mediterranean diet. Other positive factors, such as adequate sun exposure, a walking and cycling culture, and a particularly community-driven society, also contribute to Spaniards' happiness.
Clean water, air, and sanitation are also important. Safe drinking water is available across the country, and Spain's major cities are less densely populated than in other parts of the world. The public healthcare system covers practically all citizens.
The healthcare system
The coexistence of three separate health schemes characterizes the Spanish healthcare system: mutual funds, mutualities, and the public system.
The public system offers basic healthcare and allows for financial security against unforeseen health bills by covering the population through collected taxes, with an emphasis on the adoption of new technologies and a strong stance on organ transplants.
The system, however, has significant obstacles, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 outbreak. Long waiting times and a shortage of personnel are limiting access to treatment as a result of budgetary limits.
Along with these constraints, aging generations and changes in the population's daily routines, which have increased sedentary and obesity, are two issues that will need to be addressed in the next few years.
Natural healthcare
Recently, cbd oil has been emerging as an alternative natural remedy. Commercial medical cannabis exports began in 2020. Sales are ongoing with several nations, with a dozen of licensed cultivators and many manufacturers already active. This marks Spain as a potential European cannabis-producing powerhouse, but this may only be the beginning.
Currently, farmers may cultivate EU-certified hemp for fibers and food (varieties with 0.2% THC), while anyone who wishes to grow hemp in order to obtain CBD must pass the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) licensing.
While producers have more chances than ever before, Spain is leading the way in growing commercial supply. The country has the problem of needing to adjust and become more flexible to completely accommodate the current market realities.
Digital healthcare
The social and health industries have had to adapt to the new reality in the previous two years.
Following the breakout of the Covid-19 pandemic, Spain focused on creating solutions for dependent people's care, residential and pharmaceutical management, and the speeding up of treatments. For this reason, health-related technology is gaining traction in the industry.
Cloud-based monitoring of healthcare records, virtual consultations, and remote diagnostics have all been enabled and/or improved. Telemedicine has witnessed a true blooming, and it only continues to improve after the initial crisis response during the outbreak of the pandemic.
