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How healthy are the people of Murcia really? A new survey has some surprising answers
From gym habits and sleep quality to medication worries and climate anxiety, a major self-care study paints a fascinating picture of life in the region
Most people in Murcia think of themselves as reasonably healthy, and on paper at least, the numbers back that up. According to the second edition of the Self-Care Survey in Spain, compiled by the Association for Self-Care in Health (ANEFP) using 2025 data, 75.7% of Murcia residents rate their health as "good" or "very good," and nearly 70% say they are satisfied with their lives. A healthy 80.9% consider self-care to be "very important" for maintaining good health.But dig a little deeper and some of the findings are more surprising...
Nearly one in four people in Murcia brushes their teeth just once a day, despite 26.7% brushing three or more times. And when it comes to medications and self-care products, only 22.7% say they always consult a healthcare professional if they have doubts, while nearly a third do so only sometimes.
On the positive side, one in two residents has an annual medical check-up even without symptoms. The most common tests are blood tests (90.6%), dental visits (59.8%) and eye appointments (44%).
Exercise is part of daily life for many, with 19.1% working out every day and 35.5% several times a week. The gym is the most popular choice (36.6%), followed by hiking (16.3%) and cycling (14%).
Sleep, on the whole, is reasonably good, with 60.2% describing their quality of sleep as "good" or "very good." Personal problems, work stress and room temperature are the most commonly cited reasons for disrupted nights.
Mental health is a growing area of concern. The number of people in Murcia receiving mental health treatment has risen by 3.7% since 2024, now standing at 13.5% of the population. Family and social relationships are the biggest source of mental strain (72.5%), followed by financial worries (70.1%) and work pressure (61.7%).
On the environment, 80.9% say that caring for the planet in daily life matters to them, and 66.1% say they recycle regularly. Just over half (51.7%) feel quite or very affected by climate change personally.
Looking ahead, more than half of those surveyed (51.8%) take a pessimistic view of the future for younger generations in terms of opportunities and quality of life. And while 70.9% believe artificial intelligence will improve early disease diagnosis, 86% say they are worried about AI making medical decisions without human supervision.
A region that values good health, then, though perhaps with a few habits still worth working on.
You might also be interested in: Three simple and healthy culinary favourites of the Region of Murcia!
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