Barcelona has successfully restored its life expectancy to pre-pandemic levels, a significant milestone achieved six years after the global health crisis. The municipal report, ‘The Health in Barcelona 2024,’ compiled by the Public Health Agency of Barcelona, reveals that women in the city now have an average life expectancy of 87.5 years, while men can expect to live 82 years. These statistics are almost identical to those registered in 2019, indicating a full recovery in longevity.
Key Findings from the Health Report
The comprehensive study highlights several other critical health indicators. Notably, there has been a reduction in premature mortality due to cancer. However, breast cancer remains the leading cause of premature death among women, while suicides are the primary cause for men. In terms of overall causes of death, cardiovascular diseases and tumors continue to be the most prevalent.
Mental Health and Vaccination Coverage
Mental health issues present a significant challenge in Barcelona. The report indicates that nearly 29,500 cases of anxiety and 9,300 cases of depression were recorded in 2024. This problem is particularly pronounced among women, young people, and residents of lower-income neighborhoods, underscoring socio-economic disparities in mental well-being.
Regarding vaccination, the report shows an 86% coverage rate among children aged 0 to 14. However, concerns arise from the disparities across different districts of the Catalan capital and a noticeable decline in coverage with age. Only one-third of individuals over 65 years old have complete vaccination, pointing to a need for targeted public health interventions for the elderly.
The Public Health Agency of Barcelona (ASPB) report also draws attention to the persistent social and territorial inequalities within the healthcare system. Individuals residing in Barcelona’s lower-income neighborhoods report poorer health perceptions and a higher incidence of chronic diseases, further emphasizing the link between socio-economic status and health outcomes.
Environmental Factors and Sustainability
The report provides positive news regarding environmental health. Deaths attributed to air pollution have decreased by 32% compared to the pre-pandemic era. Furthermore, cases of childhood asthma have also seen a reduction of 28%, suggesting improvements in air quality.
Despite these gains, climate change continues to impact the health of Barcelona’s residents. In 2024, approximately 240 deaths were linked to heatwaves, with women and individuals over 75 years old being disproportionately affected. Despite recent drought conditions, the report confirms that water quality has remained at optimal levels.
Lifestyle Habits and Well-being
Positive trends are also observed in lifestyle habits. The practice of physical activity is on the rise, particularly among women. However, the report cautions that 40% of adults still do not meet the recommended minimum weekly exercise guidelines.
Dietary habits show improvement, with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and a reduction in sugary drink consumption, especially in schools. The overall perception of well-being among Barcelona’s citizens has also improved since the last report, with over 70% considering themselves to be in ‘good or very good health.’
Nevertheless, significant disparities in perceived health exist between neighborhoods. Higher-income areas report a perception of health up to 20% better than their lower-income counterparts, reinforcing the need for equitable health initiatives across the city.
