EU Health Profiles Unveil Prevention Successes and Systemic Challenges
The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in collaboration with the European Commission, have unveiled the fifth edition of the Country Health Profiles. This comprehensive initiative provides a detailed assessment of health system performance across the European Union (EU), Iceland, and Norway, offering valuable insights for evidence-based policymaking and mutual learning.
Noncommunicable Diseases: A Persistent Challenge
One of the key findings highlights the ongoing battle against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). These diseases remain the leading cause of preventable illnesses and deaths in the EU, with an estimated 2.4 million years of productive life lost in 2022 and over 725,000 avoidable deaths. The report emphasizes that reducing mortality from NCDs could significantly offset the projected decline in the EU workforce due to population aging.
Member States' Response: Targeted Policies
In response to this crisis, member states are implementing policies to tackle tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, obesity, and physical inactivity, especially among younger populations. However, the report underscores the need for ongoing policy adaptation to address emerging challenges like vaping and childhood obesity.
Primary Care Pressures: Aging and Underinvestment
Primary care systems across the EU are under increasing strain due to an aging population and long-standing underinvestment. Only 1 in 5 physicians are general practitioners, while over a third of adults reported long-term illnesses in 2024, rising to 60% among those aged 65 and above. Member states are responding with reforms to attract and retain primary care professionals and expand integrated care models.
Pharmaceutical Expenditure: Growing Pressure
Pharmaceutical expenditure is another growing pressure on health systems. In 2023, medicines accounted for approximately 60% of total pharmaceutical spending and 13% of overall health expenditure in the EU. Rising prices and demand have prompted major pharmaceutical policy reforms between 2020 and 2025 to improve access and affordability, supported by updated EU legislation and health technology assessment regulations.
Digital Health Expansion: Accelerating Transformation
The digital transformation of health systems has accelerated across the EU, fueled by the COVID pandemic, the European Health Data Space, and the Artificial Intelligence Act. Investment in health-related information and communication technologies has surged by approximately 30% since 2021, driven by rising demand for care, workforce shortages, and policy efforts to promote innovation and highly skilled employment in health technology.
Spain in Focus: Strong Health Outcomes, Persistent Challenges
Within the European context, Spain's health profile reveals strong health outcomes and persistent structural challenges. In 2024, Spain recorded its third-highest life expectancy in the EU at 84 years, with a gender gap favoring women by 5.3 years. However, daily smoking among adults remains higher than in most EU countries, and alcohol consumption has increased since 2010, reaching 11.1 litres per adult in 2023, about 10% above the EU average.
Access to Healthcare: Generally Good, but Workforce Shortages Persist
Access to healthcare is generally good in Spain, but workforce shortages may affect its availability in some regions. Spain has implemented strategic digital health initiatives and increased funding in this area. A large proportion of the population schedules appointments and accesses their medical records online. Health remains a priority in the country's political agenda, and public spending on healthcare has increased over time.
Key Challenges: Per Capita Spending and Workforce Imbalances
Despite these strengths, one of the key challenges remains per capita spending on retail pharmaceuticals in Spain, which was below the EU average in 2023, accounting for 15% of total health expenditure. The report also highlights workforce imbalances, with a relatively high number of physicians and a comparatively low number of nurses. Spain faces significant challenges in its health workforce, including an aging workforce, uneven geographic distribution of health professionals, and a projected shortage of family physicians and other specialties.
