The Tarragona-Reus Research Support Unit (USR) of IDIAPJGol has led an innovative study focused on the social and demographic determinants of population health. The research involved 500 individuals from the municipality of Mont-roig del Camp (Tarragona).

The study, titled “Social and Demographic Determinants of Health: A Descriptive Study on the Impact of Place of Residence and Sense of Community Belonging”, was published in the journal Healthcare and included a sample of residents from the municipality and its urban areas (Mont-roig, Miami Platja, and nearby residential developments). One of the novel aspects of the project was the creation of a digital platform that connects citizens with local organizations and services, aiming to promote better community health.

The results published in the article correspond to the first phase of the study and highlight that, although no significant differences were found in most indicators based on place of residence, notable differences were observed in physical activity and sense of community belonging, both more pronounced in inland areas such as Mont-roig’s historic centre.

The study also reveals that more than 33 % of respondents reported having chronic illnesses, a figure that rises to 63 % among those over the age of 65. Additionally, it emphasizes that living alone does not necessarily equate to a higher perception of loneliness—a key insight for guiding future social and healthcare policies.

Study reference

Pedret-Llaberia R, Basora-Gallisà T, Martínez-Torres S, Rodríguez-Soler S, Pallejà-Millán M, Buscemi A, Rey-Reñones C, Martín-Luján FM. Social and Demographic Determinants of Health: A Descriptive Study on the Impact of Place of Residence and Community Belonging. Healthcare (Basel). 2025 May 12;13(10):1125. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13101125. PMID: 40427962; PMCID: PMC12110998.