Challenges for health policy in a context of demographic transition in the interior of Portugal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2017v20i4p27-47Keywords:
Health policy, Demographic transition, Citizens' needs, Health reforms.Abstract
Portugal is experiencing an aging population in its population. This study aims to analyze the demographic transitions occurring in a rural inland region of Portugal and discuss the challenges to health policy in this region that has experienced a period of economic crisis. In order to achieve these objectives, we used data from the information systems of the Ministry of Health and conducted interviews with the main actors of national and local politics. As a result, investment in the health response, reduction in fertility, birth and death rates and a growth in average life expectancy were clear. But there was an increase in unemployment, a reduction in income. After the crisis, demographic changes require a new response and immediate action on new health policies to overcome the effects of the crisis.