Health reports show rising mortality trends in France and Spain

Recent health data from Spain and France highlight concerning mortality trends in different demographics.

In Spain, data released by the Spanish Medical College and the National Statistics Institute covering the period from 2003 to 2022 shows that while physicians have lower mortality rates than the general population, they tend to die at a younger age. The average age of death for physicians is 72.9 years, compared to 78.6 years for non-medical professionals. This gap is even more pronounced among women, with physicians dying at an average age of approximately 62, compared to 81 for non-medical women. Cancer remains a leading cause of death for this group.

In France, a report from the Inspection générale des affaires sociales (Igas) indicates a rise in infant mortality. The rate has increased from a historical low of 3.5 deaths per thousand births in 2011 to 4.1 deaths per thousand births in 2024. Factors contributing to this trend include the increasing age of pregnant women, a rise in multiple pregnancies linked to medically assisted procreation, and instances of extreme prematurity. The report also highlights the impact of social and territorial inequalities, though it notes that the closure of local maternity wards does not explain the increase.