The Ministry of Health has opened the period for prior public consultation to develop a new Strategic Health and Environment Plan (PESMA), with which it aims to update the lines of action against environmental risks that affect health. The initiative seeks to gather proposals from citizens, organizations, and interested entities before defining the priorities and objectives of the next strategy.
The new document will continue the PESMA 2022-2026, approved in November 2021, and will take into account scientific advances, regulatory changes, and the experience accumulated over the last few years. The consultation will allow identifying which problems should occupy a priority place in the plan and which action alternatives should be evaluated.
It will take into account scientific advances, regulatory changes, and the experience accumulated over the last few years
Among the main challenges highlighted by Health are the effects of climate change on health, pollution, emerging risks, and simultaneous exposure to different environmental factors. The purpose is to reduce the consequences of these risks on the population, improve prevention and the response capacity of administrations, and promote healthier, safer, and more sustainable environments.
More information to anticipate risks
One of the axes of the future strategy will be to improve knowledge about environmental exposures and their health effects. To this end, the Ministry proposes to strengthen information systems and leverage available data to guide decisions and public health interventions.
Improving knowledge about these factors is relevant to identify risks and design responses tailored to their consequences on the population. The new planning also aims to take into account simultaneous exposure to different environmental agents, one of the problems that Health includes among the challenges that the document must address.
Another objective will be to strengthen cooperation between administrations and organizations with competencies in environmental health. The Ministry focuses on territorial differences in prevention and response, with the intention of improving coordination and addressing the different existing capacities.
A plan with objectives and monitoring indicators
Health also proposes to move towards a more flexible and results-oriented planning model. The proposal includes specifying the planned actions, identifying those responsible for executing them, establishing timelines, and defining indicators that allow for monitoring their development and evaluating their results.
These elements should contribute to ensuring that the strategic lines translate into concrete actions and can be monitored. However, the plan is still in the drafting phase, and the public consultation will serve to gather contributions before finalizing its content.
Interested individuals and entities may submit proposals regarding the issues that the PESMA should address, its objectives, and possible courses of action. The deadline will remain open until October 28, 2026.
Contributions should be sent to the email address buzon-pesma@sanidad.gob.es, with the identification of the participating person or entity and the indication that the submission corresponds to this public consultation.
With this process, the Ministry begins the preparation of the strategy that will succeed the current plan and opens the door for citizens and organizations to participate in defining health and environmental priorities for the coming years.