Evidence and surveillance, linchpins of Spanish public health protection reforms
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Spain is to set up a “national public health laboratories network” aimed at providing early detection and response to diseases and risks to public health. These are among plans unveiled by health minister Leire Pajín as the key features of a draft public health law, presented in parliament last month. The laboratories network would form part of a new surveillance system to be established at the centre of a comprehensive reform of public health services. Ms Pajín emphasised the ministry’s intention of ensuring that public health care, prevention and protection are increasingly evidence-based. “Any preventive care activities that are not backed by scientific evidence may be withdrawn,” said the health ministry.