Low back pain and other chronic back problems are the most frequent health issues among the population residing in Madeira aged 15 and over, affecting 30.3% of respondents, according to the results of the 2025 National Health Survey released by the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM).
Hypertension (26.0%) and high cholesterol (22.9%) also rank among the most common chronic diseases in the region, confirming the growing prevalence of pathologies associated with an ageing population and cardiovascular risk factors.
The data also reveal that 60.9% of residents had consulted a dentist in the 12 months before the survey. More than half of the population (53.8%) rated their oral health as good or very good, whilst 12.1% rated it as bad or very bad.
Regarding nutritional status, 39.7% of adults were classified as pre-obese and 20.9% as obese, meaning that more than half of the adult population is overweight.
In terms of lifestyle habits, 68.5% of respondents stated that they consume vegetables or salads at least four times a week. Alcohol consumption in the 12 months before the interview was reported by 65.2% of the population.
Smoking remains less prevalent, with 82.0% of residents reporting that they are non-smokers. Even so, 13.7% admitted to smoking daily, and 2.3% occasionally.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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