Health

About

Health is an essential pillar for social development and cohesion, as well as for sustainable development, wealth creation, and individual and collective well-being. Demographic indicators show that, in line with trends in developed countries, the Portuguese population is living increasingly longer lives. This reflects a general improvement in living conditions, as well as access to advances in medicine and technology, with more innovative and effective services, methodologies, therapies, and medications.

In Portugal, as in other developed countries, demographic indicators reveal an increase in average life expectancy, reflecting better living conditions and broader access to scientific and technological advancements in health care. However, this growing longevity brings new challenges, notably population ageing, low fertility rates, and a rising prevalence of chronic diseases.

These factors are compounded by increasing vulnerabilities in the health domain, including mental health, physical and psychological dependency, and other conditions of vulnerability that require integrated, personalised, and person-centred responses. Current lifestyles, often marked by behaviours associated with risk factors, further underscore the need to invest in health promotion, disease prevention, and the reduction of inequalities.

The One Value portal provides information on public investment in the health sector. The values are organised into categories related to the population profile requiring health care, such as “People with Health Vulnerabilities,” “People with Mental Illness,” and “People in Situations of Dependency.” These values are those set out in the relevant legal instruments, published annually, in national or international studies, or other reference documents.