Has health in Spain been declining since the economic crisis?

Background The economic recession starting in 2008 may be having negative effects on health. Purpose We aimed to identify and characterise changes in trends in 15 health indicators in Spain during the recession. Methods Joinpoint regression and average annual percent change (AAPC) were used to compare trends. Results Premature mortality rates from several causes of death, except from cancer, showed statistically significant downward trends during the recession, as did poor self-reported health. HIV incidence was stable. No indicator declined significantly more slowly during the recession than in the preceding 4-year period, and two declined significantly faster. Conclusion Health in Spain has continued to improve during the first four years of the economic recession at a rate equal to or higher than in previous years.