Access to healthcare for the population is a central goal of health systems and a fundamental pillar for equity. This report, based on a representative sample of residents aged 15 or older in mainland Portugal, analyzes the evolution of access to healthcare in the country between 2013 and 2023. Focusing on the decisions made by citizens from the moment they feel ill, the report identifies significant inequalities associated with socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic factors, which undermine equity in the healthcare system.
In 2023, episodes of illness were more frequent among individuals in situations of economic vulnerability, a group that also faces greater difficulties in accessing care.
Despite the elimination of most user fees in the National Health Service (NHS) in recent years, financial barriers to accessing healthcare persist, particularly due to the costs associated with prescribed medications. The use of the NHS is approximately ten times higher than that of the private sector, with primary healthcare being the most frequently accessed service, despite a sharp decline in the population with an assigned family doctor in recent years.
The report also includes a groundbreaking generational analysis, highlighting the increased prevalence of chronic diseases among individuals aged 50 and older. While partly explained by greater survival rates and advances in early diagnosis, this increase underscores the urgent need for policies that prevent chronic diseases and ensure that gains in life expectancy translate into more years lived in good health.
🌐 You can now download the report in Portuguese here.
This report is part of the Social Equity Initiative , a partnership between Fundación ”la Caixa”, Banco BPI and Nova SBE.
Author of the study: Pedro Pita Barros and Carolina Borges da Cunha Santos.
▶️ Check out the presentation of this report in Portuguese here: https://youtu.be/awRS8WJhhF0?si=u0096z0KMT4wvDk2