Healthy Practices for General and Reproductive Health

In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being—not merely the absence of disease.

The concept of health promotion, in turn, emphasizes empowering individuals to take control of their own health and finding ways to improve public health through effective policies.

Raising Awareness for General and Reproductive Health

On April 7th, the WHO celebrates World Health Day, focusing on universal health coverage. While many developed countries have made great strides, millions of people still lack access to basic care—forced to prioritize food, shelter, or clothing over their health.

As a developed nation, Spain has some of the best healthcare and health promotion indices in the world. This privilege brings the responsibility of addressing other pressing issues, such as declining birth rates, delayed motherhood, and reduced generational replacement—challenges tied directly to reproductive health.

Fertility Challenges in Spain

In Spain, couples are delaying parenthood more than ever. In the 1970s, only 1% of first-time mothers were over 35. Today, that number is over 10%. Age-related fertility decline is now one of the main causes of infertility. Educating people on this biological reality is essential.

Age also affects male fertility. After 45–50 years, sperm quality drops, increasing the risk of complications like genetic disorders, miscarriages, and lower chances of conception.

Obesity, Smoking, and Their Impact on Fertility

Obesity is a global epidemic, affecting more than 50% of people aged 25–64. It negatively impacts both male and female fertility—reducing egg and sperm quality, increasing miscarriage rates, and causing complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

The same goes for chronic smoking, which affects nearly a third of people over 16. As a chronic, addictive disease, it remains the leading preventable cause of death. Its impact on fertility is alarming and well-documented.

Education and support for quitting smoking, drug use, and excessive alcohol consumption are essential healthy practices to protect fertility.

Healthy Practices to Improve Fertility

Balanced nutrition and regular, moderate exercise are simple healthy practices that can positively impact reproductive health. Benefits include maintaining a healthy weight, improving self-esteem and mental health, and reducing stress—especially during fertility treatments, where high emotional strain can lead to treatment dropout.

While these topics may seem distant from the WHO’s goals for World Health Day, raising awareness about these healthy practices is part of our duty in reproductive medicine. Promoting informed, healthy choices can reduce the need for assisted reproduction and improve overall well-being.