Spaniards, among those most concerned about their health care in a Europe in which satisfaction with health systems decreases
Health systems in Europe need to be overhauled.
This is the main conclusion or message drawn from the results of the 10th edition of the STADA Health Report, recently presented in Rome.
With a global figure of 56%, satisfaction with health systems has fallen to a historic low, which half of the European Union (EU) considers an invitation to act.
Regular exercise, a healthy diet and activities to support mental well-being are some of the measures that European citizens have taken to compensate for weaknesses in the system and take care of themselves.
Despite the global data, the study shows that in Spain satisfaction with the health system remains at 71% of the population, a figure that places the country among the top five in Europe, behind Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark and Austria.
Satisfaction decreases in Europe, remains the same in Spain
Access to medical appointments, the quality of healthcare services, staff shortages and distrust in healthcare policy makers are the main causes of dissatisfaction with European healthcare systems.
The global figure, with only 56% satisfaction, is 18 percentage points lower than in 2020.
Citizens of Hungary, participating in the study for the first time, are the most dissatisfied with their health system: 72% of them consider it insufficient, followed by Kazakhstan (67%) and Serbia (65%).
Compared to 2023, the United Kingdom (-11 percentage points) and Germany (-8 percentage points) are the countries that recorded the most significant drops.
In Spain satisfaction with the health system remains stable at 71% of the population. Among the most valued aspects are access to doctor and pharmacist advice (55%), access to medication (49%) and preventive health services (47%).
Spaniards, among those who care most about their health
With satisfaction levels plummeting, more and more Europeans are taking steps to look after their own health: 89% of them say they take at least one action to improve their overall well-being.
In Finland (66%), Spain (62%) and Italy (60%) people are more physically active than average (50%).
Furthermore, a third of Europeans carry out preventive health check-ups, a figure seven points higher in Spain (41%) than the European average.
And 31% of Europeans and 39% of Spaniards consider time spent with their friends and loved ones as an investment in their general well-being.
Spaniards and Finns, who trust conventional medicine the most
Although dissatisfaction with healthcare is tangible, trust in medicine has increased significantly.
Almost 7 in 10 Europeans (69%) say they trust conventional medicine “to a great extent” or “completely”, an increase of 7 percentage points compared to 2022. Finland (84%) and Spain (82%) are their strongest defenders.
The main reasons for trust are the advice of health professionals, such as doctors and pharmacists, highly valued by 48% of Europeans and 52% of Spaniards, as well as the scientific evidence that supports medicine, valued by 50% of Spaniards, and the control and regulation of administrations that ensure quality (49%).
On the other hand, analyzing the gender perspective, European men (73%) are more likely to trust conventional medicine than women (65%). “Women’s health has been neglected for years. Gender bias is a major problem. In general, women’s requests are usually aimed at improving empathy and communication,” argued Magali Greens, managing director of Human 8.
Mental health
Mental health in Europe has also worsened: 65% of the population affirms that their health is “very good or good”, a percentage two points lower than in 2023.
In Spain the figure improves and stands at 62%, one point higher than the previous year’s survey.
Positive opinion of AI in health
70% of Spaniards have a positive perception of artificial intelligence (AI), compared to 62% of the European average.
This level of acceptance of AI in Spain is much more pronounced than in other large European countries such as France (60%), Germany (61%), the United Kingdom (60%) and Italy (66%).
Further evidence that Spaniards are very receptive to the incorporation of advanced technologies in the field of health and well-being.
Ten years of a European reference study in the field of health
The STADA Health Report is a representative survey that has interviewed more than 46,000 people from 23 European countries and one of the main European studies in the field of health.
“Through the STADA Health Report 2024, the European population has once again expressed its opinion: satisfaction with healthcare has decreased for the fourth consecutive year, an alarming trend that we, together with policy makers, regulators, doctors and pharmacists , we need to understand, address and reverse. At the same time, it is encouraging to see people of all genders, backgrounds and age groups taking care of their health, both physical and mental,” said Peter Goldschmidt, CEO of STADA.
