Why does your postcode determine your health?

We live in a world where economic inequality is the main cause that conditions other inequalities, including health. So much so that life expectancy is four years longer if you live in Madrid than in Cadiz.

Countries such as South Africa and Brazil have very high rates of inequality, but there are also cases of developed countries such as Spain, where the Gini Index (which measures economic inequality or the concentration of wealth in a population) indicates that the situation can be improved.

In addition, other factors such as pollution, social relations or our lifestyle also influence our health.

Inequality in health

There is no doubt that inequality in access to health is evident. In our country, although we have a good number of health professionals, there is a deficit of nurses since, according to the WHO, there should be eight or nine for every 1000 inhabitants and in Spain we have seven.

On the other hand, in southern countries, it is difficult to implement a modern health system, as cultural differences clash with those of developed countries and create mistrust. Faced with this situation, what should be done?

Health is the highest level of well-being, which is why it is important to have equitable and quality health care, where everyone deserves the same opportunities to achieve it.

If you are interested in learning more, listen to thefull episode here.