Martinez said it's important to have healthy habits, which account for 50% of the factors affecting health

The Basque Government's Health Adviser, Alberto Martínez, has stressed that 50% of the factors affecting health depend on living habits, and has therefore urged citizens to take care of themselves and to promote prevention.

On the occasion of International Health Day, Martinez has spoken with Mira Bilbao, president of the Álava Cancer Association, and both have agreed on the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles to improve quality of life and health outcomes.

The counsellor recalled that the health system has an impact of around 10% on health, while genetics and the socio-economic environment account for 20%. The rest depends on factors such as food, physical activity, social relations or substance consumption.

In this regard, he has encouraged citizens to remain active, to follow a balanced diet, to avoid smoking and to moderate alcohol consumption, as well as to warn of the increase in cannabis use. "Taking care of ourselves today is an exercise in responsibility to live longer and with a better quality of life," he said.