Health
1971 newsReaders can follow how national headlines become local stories across Spanish cities, regions, institutions and communities.
Depressive conditions reported by 16.2% of Spaniards over 15
Spain’s 2025 health survey found that 16.2% of people aged 15 and over had a depressive condition, 1.6 points more than in 2023. Chronic illness affected 66.2%, while fewer people rated their health positively.
Pregnancy exposure to plastic chemicals tied to lower child IQ
Researchers from the University of Granada and ibs.GRANADA link higher prenatal exposure to a mixture of plastic-related chemicals with lower IQ scores at age three. The reported difference averages three points per unit increase in the mixture.
Spain cancer campaign highlights patients’ support needs
The Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer has launched ‘Nos lo tomamos a pecho’ to share the experiences of patients and those around them. Spain expects 38,318 new breast cancer cases in 2026.
Seville charity race fills all 6,000 places
Seville’s ‘Tus Kilómetros Nos Dan Vida’ returns to Parque del Alamillo on Sunday 25 October. All 6,000 places sold out in record time, with proceeds supporting research into childhood cancer.
Helicopters rescue residents from flood-isolated Oliva coast
Two people have died in Oliva as helicopters spent the morning rescuing residents from the flooded coastal area. Water reached at least 1.5 metres inside some homes and submerged the road to the beach.
Brain study links stress-pathway changes to depression, schizophrenia
An analysis of 84 post-mortem brains found that gene activity and protein levels did not move in step in people with major depression or schizophrenia. Researchers at the Complutense University of Madrid and CIBERSAM led the study.
Brain study finds stress-pathway shifts in depression and schizophrenia
An analysis of 84 post-mortem brains found altered cellular stress pathways in people with major depression or schizophrenia. RNA changes did not consistently line up with protein levels.
Heat Can Slow Thinking, While Brain Fog Has Other Causes
A study found slower responses and lower accuracy on cognitive tests as temperatures rose, with the clearest differences at 40C. Poor sleep and stress can also contribute to brain fog, while memory complaints are common during menopause.
Meritxell Rovira tracks a rise in cancers under 40
Diagnosed with breast cancer at 34 while researching pancreatic regeneration, Meritxell Rovira now studies pancreatic tumours. At 48, she is concerned by the rise in cancers among people under 40.
León XIV sets a gradual return after lung surgery
León XIV appeared at the Vatican after leaving hospital and said he would resume work gradually. About 35,000 people gathered at plaza de San Pedro; the Santa Sede has not confirmed whether he will attend Wednesday’s audience.
Resimas Brings AI Into Care Home Search and Calls
Resimas has introduced two AI tools for older people’s care: one helps families find potentially suitable homes, while the other handles calls staff cannot answer. The project starts in Barcelona.
Madrid Reopens Sol Metro Station After Safety Checks
Sol reopened at 22:00 on Saturday 17 October, after cleaning and laboratory checks cleared the station. Metro trains have resumed normal stops there.
EMA Recommends Rasonque for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Trial data showed longer overall survival and progression-free survival. EU authorisation still depends on a decision by the European Commission.
Madrid pharmacists take nutrition advice into the kitchen
Chef Paola Freire and pharmacist-nutritionist Ana Laja led a live healthy-eating workshop in Madrid. The event closed a congress examining how community pharmacies can support nutrition advice.
Researchers trace severe COVID’s damage inside the lungs
Lung samples from 19 people who died of COVID-19 reveal the loss of oxygen-exchanging tissue and a rise in scar-forming cells. Researchers say existing antifibrotic medicines need preclinical testing before they can be considered as treatments.
AI ranks breast cancer risk from a single mammogram
A deep-learning tool assessed 27,172 normal mammograms and ranked women by their five-year breast cancer risk. In preliminary results, the highest-risk 10% accounted for about 30% of cancers diagnosed during that period.
Cabergoline tied to lower breast cancer risk after childbirth
Records from more than 150,000 women in Spain and Norway linked cabergoline use after childbirth to about 70% lower breast cancer risk. Clinical trials must test whether the association holds.
AI flags mammograms linked to higher five-year cancer risk
Across six centres, an AI model ranked the top 10% of women by risk; that group accounted for about 30% of cancers found within five years in preliminary results.
Lung map tracks severe COVID-19 damage
Researchers mapped 91,068 lung-tissue regions from 19 people who died with severe COVID-19. The analysis found stronger fibrosis-linked signals during a stage when alveolar repair was still underway.
Experts warn vaccine falsehoods could revive controlled diseases
At a congress in Vigo, experts warned that misinformation could revive diseases Spain had brought under control. They pointed to clear, credible information as a way to address public doubts.
LEAP2 may bring puberty forward in girls with obesity
Girls with obesity had higher blood levels of LEAP2. In rats, injections into the brain brought puberty forward and sped ovarian development.
Spanish hospitals begin early type 1 diabetes screening
Hospitals in Spain are beginning to screen first-degree relatives before type 1 diabetes symptoms appear. Whether the approach will become routine across the National Health System remains unresolved.
Málaga manager drives 220 km to reach restaurant job
A restaurant manager in Málaga province drives 220 km each working day because coastal housing is unaffordable. Her 48,400 km annual commute brings heavy fuel and vehicle costs.
Developmental disorders raise children’s bullying risk six to eightfold
Children with developmental disorders face six to eight times the bullying risk of their peers. In LINKlusive, victimisation among primary pupils with special educational needs fell 45.6% in the intervention group, though the reported result lacks independent verification of its sample or assessment method.
Valencia sets dementia course for neurology residents
Residents are due to gather in Valencia on 11 and 12 December for a SEN course on neurodegenerative dementias. The programme includes clinical cases across both days.
Report ties Spanish egg withdrawal to Salmonella outbreak
A report links at least 13 illnesses in Spain to Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs said to have been withdrawn from sale. Public sources reviewed did not confirm the batch, its distribution to Portugal or the reported RASFF classification.
Serrano suffers serious cornada during Las Ventas solo
A goring ended Álvaro Serrano’s solo appearance at Las Ventas after the third novillo. Doctors found deep thigh damage and a bruised but intact femoral artery.
American muscle cars shake Denia’s port for cancer research
Classic and modern American cars will line Denia’s port as enthusiasts rally for childhood cancer research. Free entry and prize raffles bring a purpose-driven weekend to the Costa Blanca.
Johnson & Johnson faces a deepening fight over trust
Gardiner Harris accuses Johnson & Johnson of lethal marketing and corruption. His book links major products to millions of deaths and a Spanish health scandal, while available sources do not independently confirm the estimate of two million deaths.
Spain’s Thyroid Cancer Care Must Measure Life After Treatment
About 90% of patients in Spain survive thyroid cancer. AECAT says care must also track lasting symptoms and the ability to return to ordinary life.
Mallorca plague study exposes a hidden human route
More than 2,400 people died in Mallorca's 1820 outbreak. Historical records now suggest that respiratory spread and human ectoparasites may have joined the usual rat-and-flea pathway.
Mpox death in Euskadi leaves cause unresolved
A 61-year-old man died at Hospital de Donostia after contracting mpox. Cancer, severe immune suppression and a suspected hospital exposure have complicated the search for the direct cause.
Hospital Mpox Death Puts San Sebastián Protocol Under Scrutiny
A 61-year-old cancer patient died after contracting Mpox at Hospital Donostia. More than 30 contacts are under medical surveillance as Osakidetza defends its response.
Vaccination takes a bigger role in heart protection
Flu can raise heart attack risk tenfold in vulnerable patients. SEMERGEN specialists want vaccination folded into cardiovascular care, where infection prevention can reduce severe complications.
Spain reportedly expands CGM for basal-insulin diabetes care
A reported Spanish consensus would make continuous glucose monitoring routine for some type 2 diabetes patients using basal insulin. International guidance supports considering CGM for insulin-treated patients, but the Spanish figures still need the source document.
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