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.