Madrid, 17 September 2026 – Galicia’s Health Minister Antonio Gómez Caamaño presented the latest initiatives of the Xunta de Galicia to research healthy longevity in Madrid. The occasion was the launch of the publication Galicia Vive+, coordinated by María Pilar Rodríguez Ledo and published by Ézaro Edicións. Gómez Caamaño highlighted that Galicia, with just under 1,800 people aged 100 and over, accounts for around 12 per cent of all centenarians registered in Spain.
The Conselleiro de Sanidade stressed that health policy should aim not only to extend lifespan but, above all, to increase healthy life expectancy and autonomy in old age. The greatest impact, he said, would come from embedding healthy habits early and consistently throughout life. He cited advice also set out in the new publication: a balanced diet, regular physical activity, good sleep and looking after mental wellbeing.
As specific regional health policy tools, Gómez Caamaño cited the Obesidade Zero and the prevention programme Adestra a túa Saúde . Both initiatives aim to reduce risk factors for chronic diseases at an early stage and strengthen individual health literacy.
A key component of the research agenda is the newly launched Rexistro galego de persoas centenarias (Regace). The register supports scientific research into biological, genetic and environmental factors associated with high life expectancy and a longer period of good health. The analysis is intended to help tailor future public health measures more closely and address the specific needs of very elderly people.
The event in Madrid was also attended by the president of the Galician Parliament, Miguel Santalices. The appearance underscores the Xunta de Galicia’s ambition to establish Galicia as a reference region for research into healthy ageing and deepen cooperation with research institutions within and beyond the region.
The statements are attributable to official communications from the Xunta de Galicia and the Servizo Galego de Saúde dated 17 September 2026. While the figures and programmes presented are factual, the announced research projects and the resulting public health applications are intended to inform future analysis and decisions. Separate from these are the lifestyle and prevention recommendations, presented as generally accepted health science guidance.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).