Spain physician mortality rates lower than general population

A study conducted by the Organización Médica Colegial (OMC) and the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) reveals that physicians in Spain had lower mortality rates than the general population between 2003 and 2022. This trend is attributed to the ‘healthy worker effect,’ where higher education and better access to healthcare resources contribute to improved health management.

Despite lower overall mortality rates, the study highlights that physicians tend to die at a younger age than the general population. The average age of death for doctors was 72.9 years, compared to 78.6 years for non-medical professionals. This disparity was particularly pronounced among women, with the average age of death for female doctors recorded at approximately 62 years, while non-medical women lived to an average of 81 years.

Cancer remains the leading cause of death for physicians, accounting for 38.7% of deaths, followed by heart disease (18.1%) and cerebrovascular diseases (5.7%). Lung cancer was identified as the most frequent type of malignancy. COVID-19 was ranked as the sixth leading cause of death during the study period. While suicide rates among doctors are generally lower than in the general population, the study emphasizes the importance of continued research into mental health and professional protection strategies.