Three out of four Spaniards want the next big thing in science to be a cure for cancer

According to the Pfizer Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Study on Social Perceptions of Science and Innovation in Health Care76% of Spaniards expect the next big thing in health-related science to be a cure for cancer, which is reasonable considering that one in two European citizens gets cancer, according to the European Union. throughout his life1.

Concern about curing cancer has far outpaced other major health concerns, such as finding treatments that can stop cancer. dementia (47%), cure of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (39%) and multiple sclerosis (MS) (29%).

“This year, as the Pfizer Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary, we wanted to stop and observe what the public thinks about science and innovation, how they perceive scientific and technological advances in health care over the past 25 years, and what awaits in another 25 inches.” states Pfizer Foundation President Sergio Rodriguez, who also emphasizes that “it is encouraging to see that 9 out of 10 respondents are interested in science and health innovation; this motivates us to continue to develop activities to promote science, technology and innovation and promote their approach to society.”

Innovations that changed health and history

For 54% of Spaniards, vaccines are the most relevant scientific health innovation in history.. Antibiotics and organ transplantation share second place with 50%, followed by the discovery of anesthesia (32%) and DNA (31%).

Looking at the past 25 years, more than half of Spaniards (53%) believe that the most important innovation in health care has been cancer cell immunotherapy, which uses cells from our immune system to fight cancer. On the other hand, robotic surgery is considered the most pressing technological innovation of the last quarter century (61%), ahead of 3D tissue printing (51%), remote health monitoring (37%) and the use of artificial intelligence. health (31%).

“The Foundation’s work is also to bring awareness to society about how technology stimulates science and improves our health,” says Sergio Rodriguez. “Technologies that have emerged recently are now fully integrated into many workflows. And this evolution is constant. Today, artificial intelligence is reducing research and development time in the field of medicine and allowing progress to be made much faster.”

Interest in science and health innovation is growing

The survey also shows that 91% of Spaniards are interested in aspects related to science. and innovation in healthcare, an interest that has increased in recent years among 53% of Spaniards.

Proof of this is that 45% actively seek or consume information about science and health innovation frequently at least once a week, and nearly 7 in 10 do so at least once a month.

. Three in four obtain information through Internet search engines and seek primarily general information about health habits (65%) and information about specific diseases or health problems (54%).

The value of science and innovation

Almost 92% of respondents associate science and innovation with advances in health care, and this connection is “total” for more than 62%. On the other hand, the Covid-19 pandemic has improved public perception of the value of science. Following the health crisis, 6 in 10 Spaniards value more the importance of scientific research and innovation and its contribution to society.

Public research centers are organizations considered to be the most significant in health research and innovation in Spain – 65%, followed by universities (57%), public hospitals (45%) and private companies (41%).

In terms of the specific benefits that science and health innovation bring to society, 73% believe it improves people’s quality of life, and nearly two-thirds believe it helps save lives and prevent disease. However, 71% of respondents believe that scientists and researchers of healthcare solutions and technologies do not have sufficient public recognition.

Promoting science and innovation

For 67% of Spaniards, the most effective way to promote science and innovation in health care in Spain would be to increase the budget allocated to them.

According to 4 out of 10 respondents, we need to improve scientific training in compulsory education and bring science and innovation closer to society. On the other hand, more than a third of respondents aim to develop STEM skills from childhood and encourage entrepreneurship among young people in the healthcare sector.

“Throughout our 25 years at the Pfizer Foundation, we have worked in all of these areas, conducting a variety of events, forums, reports, and education and outreach projects to advance science and open doors to innovation in health care. This has been our main goal and will remain so in the future,” emphasizes Sergio Rodriguez.