On 16 October 2026, the Catalan government Pla de Salut de Catalunya — Horitzó 2035 unveiled. President Salvador Illa and Health Minister Olga Pané presented in Cornellà de Llobregat 50 objectives and 135 measures intended to raise life expectancy in good health from the current 68 to 70 years and reduce avoidable mortality by 15 per cent. The Departament de Salut describes Horitzó 2035 as a strategic framework for public health governance over the coming decade, with phased implementation and regular evaluation.
According to the authorities, the plan brings together prevention, care and health promotion, and extends its focus beyond clinics to social, economic and environmental factors. These include measures to tackle tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and air pollution. Media reports note that the number of adults who smoke is to be significantly reduced and World Health Organization recommendations on physical activity more widely adopted. The Generalitat also announced a publicly accessible indicator system to measure progress on objectives such as avoidable mortality, healthy life years and waiting times.
By European standards, Catalonia has high life expectancy. At the same time, the health authorities document persistent differences between social groups and genders. The new plan therefore links cross-sector initiatives, for example in education, occupational health and safety, urban development and the environment. The system’s digital transformation and addressing commercial influences on health are also identified as areas for action.
On funding, the government pointed to health allocations that had already been increased in the latest budget frameworks. Specific measures – such as tobacco prevention or strengthening primary care – are to be worked out in stages, according to the Departament de Salut. The government emphasises evaluation cycles through to 2035 and ongoing reports based on the announced indicator system.
The quantitative targets of the Pla de Salut de Catalunya — Horitzó 2035 are political goals. Whether they are achieved depends on the quality of implementation, budget priorities and reliable cross-sector cooperation. Experts expect successful implementation to strengthen prevention, ease pressure on care and reduce health inequalities over the long term. However, forecasts are uncertain and depend on specific legislative initiatives, resources and local implementation.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).