the false controversy that Health wants to ban alcohol on the menus
A new false controversy. The Interterritorial Council of the National Health System will approve this Wednesday a new strategy to improve the heart health of the population. The data gives sufficient reason to promote urgent action: cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in Spain and one in 10 people suffer from problems of this type. Among the many lines of action, ranging from promoting healthy lifestyles to providing better responses from the health system, the Ministry of Health will seek restaurants to help promote healthy diets that exclude alcohol and offer tap water "by default". ” in the menus.
The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, assured this morning on her social networks, with a photograph of a glass of wine, that it is something that "the gentlemen of the government want to prohibit." She seemed to echo several news items that appeared in the press throughout the day about the strategy.
A good wine like the one that the gentlemen of the government want to prohibit us. pic.twitter.com/akKR7NM54c
— Isabel Diaz Ayuso (@IdiazAyuso) April 27, 2022
The Ministry of Health has released a press release, as a result of the controversy, which states that it is "recommendations of healthy habits" and not "prohibitions of any kind". "It is false that drinks such as wine or beer are going to be eliminated from the menus of the day," they say from the department of Carolina Darias, adding that it has received the approval of representatives of the communities, the autonomous cities and the scientific Comittee.
The hot spot of the strategy, to which elDiario.es has had access, literally says the following: "Collaborate with restaurant establishments to promote the Mediterranean diet as a model of heart-healthy eating, without including alcohol consumption." The strategy also intends that the cafeterias and vending machines of public institutions and educational centers, whether public or private, offer healthy products and "alcohol-free drinks".
The Health strategy goes beyond this controversy. In its 132 pages, it addresses a multitude of aspects of cardiovascular health. Just like alcohol, which gathers enough scientific evidence to claim that its consumption is not safe even in small doses, another of the great risk factors is tobacco. The first, according to Health.
The Ministry is finalizing a new comprehensive plan against tobacco to extend smoke-free areas to outdoor spaces such as terraces. Along the same lines, the strategy aims to delay or prevent the start of consumption in young people and promote "smoke-free homes". Don't smoke in the house. In addition to regulating, just like traditional cigarettes, new products such as vapers in the sense of prohibiting their advertising and preventing young people from consuming them. The intention is that in 2040 no more than 10% of the population in Spain smoke.
Two million deaths in Europe
Cardiovascular disease caused the death of more than two million people in Europe in 2019. It is the cause of death of 37.4% of the European population. In Spain, it is ahead of tumors (27%) and respiratory diseases (11.4%). Among the actions highlighted, the Ministry wants to promote with this plan "favor" walking or cycling, encourage sports activities in schools and use fiscal policies to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods, a task that has already undertaken by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The department led by Alberto Garzón It will ban advertising for minors of chocolate, cookies, juices or ice cream.
35% of people in Spain "do not reach the level of healthy physical activity recommended by the WHO", more than a third, and around 30% declare that they do not consume fruit on a daily basis. Vegetables and vegetables are still eaten less.
To tackle the causes of cardiovascular disease, Health confirms that there are greater risks of developing a disease of this type depending on the socioeconomic level, gender or where you live. “They are axes of inequality with a great impact on the state of the population. For example, low socioeconomic status, defined as low income, low educational level, or having a precarious job, is a predictor of higher risk,” the document says.
The plan pays special attention to the risk factors that women have due to the fact that they are women, sometimes not sufficiently cared for. "Harassment and daily discrimination -including violence- are chronic stressors that deteriorate cardiovascular health", indicates the strategy that seeks to "sensitize and educate patients and caregivers (also professionals) about the importance of reducing the stress derived from the care of patients and dependent people as a measure of prevention of cardiovascular risk in the people they care for”, tasks that are mainly assumed by women.
