The Healthcare Transition in Spain from 1900 to 1990

Abstract

Background: The concept of health transition is intended to define, from a plural point of view, the changes in health conditions that have contributed to a decrease in mortality associated with the demographic transition. The purpose of the study is to analyse the health transition in Spain during this century ( 1900 - 1990). Method: The study of the different components of the health transition (epidemiological transition, risk transition and health care transition) has been based on historical series relating to Natural Population Changes. Annual Statistics and Housing Census Reports. Results: Overa11 Mortality and Child Mortality rates have tended to decrease over the entire period: overall mortality has decreased by 709, while Child mortality has dropped by 96%. Life expectancy has increased by 42 years from 1900 (3.5) to 1990 (77), which in relative terms represents an increase of 120%. There has been a 95% decrease in infectious disease-related deaths and a 134% increase in non-infectious isease-related deaths. Conclusions: The new epidemiological trend that took place over the period studied appears to be the result of improved sanitary infrastructure and increased apending as well as better medical services, however also includes new health problems related to working conditions, massive urban deve- lopment (particularly as of the sixties) and changes in lifestyle.