In 2024, the self-assessed health status of the resident population aged 16 and over continued to improve

The Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) has made available today indicators on the health status of the resident population aged 16 and over in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (ARM). These data were obtained from the 2024 edition of the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC).  

Health status was self-assessed by persons aged 16 and over, based on their subjective perception of general health, considering physical, social, and emotional components. The presence of any chronic illness or long-term health condition (i.e., one that lasts or is expected to last for at least six months) was also assessed, as well as the existence of limitations in performing activities that are generally considered usual for most persons, due to health problems, even if seasonal or intermittent.

In 2024, 49.5% of persons aged 16 and over rated their health as “Very good or good.” This indicator increased by 0.7 percentage points compared to the previous year, representing the highest value since the beginning of the series in 2018. Nationally, the proportion of persons who rated their health as “Very good or good” stood at 53.6%. Among regions, Grande Lisboa recorded the highest proportion (60.0%), while the Centro region registered the lowest (46.6%).

In the Region, in 2024, 39.7% of the population aged 16 and over classified their health status as “Fair”, while 10.8% rated it as “Bad or very bad”.

The prevalence of chronic illness or long-term health problems decreased by 3.3 percentage points in 2024 compared to the previous year, matching the 2022 figure (44.3%). Although this value was higher than the national average (42.3%), it remained below those recorded in Oeste e Vale do Tejo (46.6%) and Centro (45.8%) regions. It is worth noting that the national downward trend was also observed, albeit less markedly, with a reduction of 2.2 percentage points compared to 2023.

Limitations in carrying out activities generally considered usual for most persons due to health problems were reported in 2024 by 31.5% of the resident population aged 16 and over in the Region. At the national level, 28.7% of respondents reported such limitations, with the Oeste e Vale do Tejo region recording the highest proportion (36.6%) and the Algarve region the lowest (23.8%).

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