Portuguese people's satisfaction with the National Health Service fell by 21 percentage points in two years, reveals an international survey released today, according to which three in five people reduced health spending for economic reasons.
According to the STADA 2023 Health Report, which interviewed 2 thousand people in Portugal, 74% of the Portuguese population was satisfied with the national health service in 2021, a figure that dropped to 53% in 2023.
Dissatisfaction is particularly evident among the most active population (between 35 and 70 years old) and, among the 16 countries surveyed, Portugal is in 11th place in the satisfaction ranking, 32 percentage points below Belgium and 21 above Poland (the highest and lowest on the list, respectively).
A total of «60% of Portuguese people had to reduce their spending on health and well-being due to their economic situation» and «around one in ten had to reduce spending on purchasing medicines», according to the findings of the European survey, which included 32 thousand participants distributed across 16 countries.
In terms of mental health, 65% of Portuguese people say they are in a good or very good situation, 12 percentage points above the average.
But in relation to the future, the expectations of the Portuguese are more negative – 16% think that their mental health will worsen, five points above the global average of the STADA 2023 health report, which is presented today in Oeiras.
The STADA Health Report is an annual publication that analyzes the health landscape in Europe, with information on the immediate and long-term effects of the pandemic on the lives of Europeans, including how it has affected their mental health and changed habits.
«Financial issues, loss of a family member or friend, health problems and war are the main factors that generate concern among the Portuguese», reads the study released today, which warns of the lack of dialogue on the topic.
«Although there is a higher level of concern in Portugal, one in five Portuguese people do not talk to anyone about their fears and concerns» regarding mental health, with a majority (52%) only talking to friends and family.
Only 10% are in the habit of seeing a psychologist and 16% of respondents usually talk about their mental health with their family doctor.
In the sleep chapter, «64% say they have a 'good night's sleep», six points below the general average.
A total of 73% of Portuguese people increased preventive health measures, a result in line with other European countries.
Among the Portuguese who increased these preventive measures, 34% indicated that they opted for healthier diets, 24% sought more advice from their family doctor, 21% carried out more health screenings, 20% increased their vitamin intake and 18% resorted to to greater use of medication.
However, almost half of the Portuguese respondents (48%) did not attend any of the available preventive screenings. Among the reasons listed, 38% said they did not know which screenings to carry out, 29% claimed financial difficulties and 18% believed they did not need them.
In comparison with other European countries, Portugal mostly exceeds the global average in carrying out oncological screenings.
In terms of dental screening and clinical analysis, Portugal is well below the European average in STADA.
Also regarding the possibility of a genetic test to assess possible future health risks, 94% of Portuguese people were in favor, well above the European average (81%).
In their responses, the «Portuguese claim to be less dependent on painkillers», with «consumption lower than the average of other European countries», and show that they are more knowledgeable about the differences between the drugs.
Among the 32 thousand respondents, «there is a greater interest in health», with Portugal «18% above the global average», a sign that the Portuguese «intend to stay up to date on topics» in the sector.
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