Latest news and stories about public health in health in Porto, Portugal for expats and residents.
The president of ICAD has announced the launch of a new day hospital in Porto on June 1st, dedicated to intensive alcohol treatment, following the opening of a similar facility in Lisbon this past April.
Matosinhos Beach faces possible removal from the official list of bathing waters after persistent water pollution and associated public‑health risks. The beach was closed 18 times during the last bathing season; the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) is awaiting the adoption of remedial measures and a final decision is expected in April. Local authorities warn that failure to address contamination could cost Matosinhos its bathing‑area designation and further restrict public access.
The Portuguese Pulmonology Society accuses the festival of a “regrettable setback in public health”. The organization says it understands the warning but refuses to be more restrictive than what the law requires.
The Portuguese Society of Pulmonology (SPP) condemned today the “open promotion” of nicotine pouches at the Primavera Sound Porto festival, warning that these products cause strong addiction and may encourage nicotine consumption among young people.
Experts state that this sponsorship comes at a critical moment as the Portuguese government finalises the legislative process to ban the advertising of these nicotine pouches.
The Portuguese Pulmonology Society condemns the 'open and uninhibited promotion of a product that induces strong dependence' by an event with the scale of the Primavera Sound festival. The ban on advertising for nicotine pouches has yet to be legislated.
The Portuguese Society of Pulmonology (SPP) has condemned the open promotion of nicotine pouches at the Primavera Sound Porto festival, warning that these products are highly addictive and may encourage nicotine use among young people. The SPP's Smoking Working Group stated that the pouches are not harmless and criticized the festival organizers for a lack of social responsibility. The society expressed deep concern over the naming rights deal with the oral nicotine brand ZYN, noting that the festival attracts thousands of young people. The SPP has formally requested clarification from the festival organizers regarding the ethical criteria behind the sponsorship, as the Portuguese government moves to finalize legislation banning such advertising.
After intervening in firefighting efforts, “a significant increase in certain systemic inflammation biomarkers was observed,” concluded a study by the FMUP.
Research from the University of Porto Faculty of Medicine also highlights an increased risk of DNA damage. Additionally, Donald Trump wants changes to the nuclear programme in the agreement with Iran.
Portugal records more than 13,000 new cases of skin cancer annually, with about 1,500 being melanomas, the most dangerous and aggressive type. Today marks Euromelanoma Day, and the IPO in Porto conducted free screenings.
There has been a trend towards the earlier onset of puberty, especially in girls, and this is a public health issue because there is a higher risk of various diseases in adulthood.
The order that opened the door to the creation of the surgical unit at Santo António Hospital was motivated by an email from the Health Directorate and not by a technical opinion.
Researchers from the Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto organised community assemblies to understand what most affects the health and quality of life of those living in Porto's historic centre.
Eurico Castro Alves, director of Surgery at the Hospital de Santo António in Porto, received 178,000 euros between 2021 and 2025 as coordinator of the team that performed surgeries outside of normal working hours. The General Inspectorate for Health Activities considers the payment irregular.
The new administration of the ULS was approved by the Council of Ministers on Thursday.
The guide released by the Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto recommends caution when using terms such as “case” and “contagious,” which may contribute to the stigmatisation of tuberculosis.
Construction of this new unit, located in one of the country's largest fishing communities, took less than two years.
High pollution levels and the risk to public health could result in Matosinhos Beach being removed from the list of bathing waters. The APA is awaiting the adoption of measures.
Matosinhos Beach may be closed. The warning comes from the Portuguese Environment Agency due to elevated pollution levels that pose a risk to public health.
The Portuguese Environment Agency classified the beach as “poor” and has called for a “programme of measures on the causes of pollution”.
Protests have been ongoing for nearly two weeks and the US is threatening to intervene. Also, the new SNS headquarters in Porto was inaugurated today.
