The main scientific society of Family and Community Medicine in Spain, semFYC, has expressed concern about the excessive use of healthcare resources by certain segments of the adolescent and young population. Despite the overall good health of the Spanish population, there has been a 14% increase in the use of healthcare services between 2014 and 2023. These values are comparable to those recorded during the pandemic, even though we are in a post-pandemic scenario. In response to this situation, semFYC has urged the public administration to implement urgent health literacy measures aimed at different population groups. The purpose is to equip citizens with the necessary tools to manage their health autonomously and responsibly, thereby reducing pressure on the healthcare system.
The increase is particularly notable in scheduled visits by adolescents and young people aged 15 to 24, with a 15% increase in the 15 to 19 age group and a 16% increase in the 20 to 24 age group. Remedios Martín, president of semFYC, has emphasized the importance of educating young people through health literacy strategies, so that they can proactively manage their well-being and reduce the burden on Primary Care services.
On the other hand, the arrival of the “baby boom” generation to the 60-year-old bracket anticipates an increase in the demand for Primary Care services, due to a rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases and age-related pathologies. It is estimated that by 2030, the group of people over 65 years old will represent 30% of the population in Spain, underscoring the urgency to adapt medical services to this reality.
semFYC emphasizes the need for a Primary Care model supported by multidisciplinary teams that improve the optimization of available resources and ensure efficient care. Additionally, it advocates for funding that is targeted towards specific objectives to meet the real needs of the population.
The growing number of people over 90 years old poses another significant challenge, demanding a focus on the treatment of complex pathologies and multimorbidities. semFYC suggests, in addition to internal modifications, a comprehensive health literacy strategy to promote self-care and a healthy lifestyle from the early stages of education, providing adults with tools to manage their health more autonomously and effectively.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
