Health in Caphiria

Health in Caphiria refers to to the overall health of the population of the Imperium of Caphiria. In Caphiria, health is defined as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity." Caphiria is known for its universal health care system, low infant mortality, relatively healthy cuisine and diet. As with any developed country, Caphiria has adequate and sufficient water and food distribution, and levels of nutrition and sanitation are high

Generally speaking, Caphirians are part of a healthy society. The average national life expectancy in Caphiria is 81.3 years. By gender, the average is higher for women at 83.6 compared to 78.9 for men. This can be explored further by going into detail based off of social class: Obviously the Patrician class has the highest life expectancy at 86 years, the Equestrians at 81, Upper-Plebs at 78, Lower-Plebs at 76, and the Indigeni at 68 years on average.

The top three causes of death since 1980 have been cardiovascular diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases. Approximately two thirds of Caphirian adults self-reported having at least one major risk factor for chronic disease; smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating or excessive alcohol use. Infectious diseases such as sexually transmitted diseases impact the health of approximately 25 million yearly.

The Ministry of Health is allocated approximately $1.5 trillion annually on health expenditures, with 48% of that funding the NHS. $200 billion is earmarked for the Health Services Fund, which is used to support vulnerable demographics, such as seniors, minors, and those with disabilities. Caphiria has performed close to, or above the average on the majority of BIS health indicators since the late 20th century. Identified weaknesses of Caphiria's system were comparatively higher infant mortality rate, the prevalence of chronic conditions, long wait times, poor availability of after-hours care, and a lack of prescription drugs and dental coverage

Healthcare

Main article: National Health Service

Caphiria offers universal health care largely financed by the National Health Service, Caphiria's national health insurance. Healthcare is generally free for people affected by chronic diseases such as cancer, AIDS or cystic fibrosis, as well as for those who would otherwise have no access to it and are in severe need of it, as well as children of citizens before they acquire their citizenship and elder citizens above 65 years of age. On a per-capita level, this costs the Senate about $1,100 for children and $11,400 for seniors though wealthier seniors usually opt out of free healthcare out of social pressure or moral obligation.

Healthcare in the Imperium is covered by two statutory forms of insurance: Infirmanus (INFIR), often called "basic insurance" which covers common medical care and Hericarianus (HERI) which covers long-term nursing and care. While Citizens are automatically insured by the government for INFIR, everyone has to take out their own basic healthcare insurance (proprius), except those under 16 who are automatically covered under their parents' premium. Any person may opt-out of insurance for any reason. Insurers have to offer a universal package for everyone over the age of 16 years, regardless of age or state of health – it's illegal to refuse an application or impose special conditions. Although life-threatening cases are dealt with immediately, some services needed are non-urgent and patients are seen at the next-available appointment in their local chosen facility.

In 2025, the NHS paid for 60% of all health care expenses with private insurance paying for 25%, followed by 15% of private out-of-pocket payments. Private insurance usually covers services not covered or only partially covered by the NHS, such as prescription drugs, eye care, and dentistry. Approximately 65 to 75 percent of Caphirians have some form of supplementary health insurance related to the aforementioned reasons; many receive it through their employers or use secondary social service programs related to extended coverage for families receiving social assistance.

The NHS, under the direction of the Ministry of Health, is the ministry responsible for overseeing Caphiria's healthcare, including its public policies and implementations. This includes the maintenance and improvement of the health of the Caphirian population, which is "among the healthiest in the world as measured by longevity, lifestyle and effective use of the public health care system".

Health status

Water and Food

Caphiria has a good and sufficient water supply with access to dozens of freshwater lakes and rivers, yet, especially due to droughts, common in the summer (notably in Southern Caphiria), water shortages can frequently occur. Caphirians consume a very high amount of mineral water, the highest compared to equivalent neighbors: in 2020, the average person in Caphiria drank 116 liters. According to studies, 40 million people in Caphiria annually are confronted with at least one slight water shortage, and 18% of Caphirian families have been recorded as having irregular distribution patterns. Some water distribution is also uneven, and can be explained by economic factors; for example, people in Magenevum, Caphiria's richest province, drink nine times more bottled water than Isuriana, one of the country's poorest.

Food is naturally grown - with no artificial additives, preservatives, drugs or pesticides at any stage of its production - in a manner that used to come at great cost to potential productivity. Nowadays, genetically modified crops and animals confer the same advantages as drugs and chemicals could offer to the agricultural industry but without side effects to consumers. Regardless of wealth, Caphirians will eat fish or other white meat on a weekly basis while red meats are reserved for dinner parties that may happen anywhere from once to five times a week, depending on your position in society. Nuts, vegetables and bread are staples of a traditional diet, eaten as meals or snacks almost constantly. Natural condiments such as garum, tomato sauce or pepper add taste without the use of artificial sweeteners or colors.

Radiation

Being a relatively warm and sunny country, Caphirians are often exposed to direct radiation from the sun (ultraviolet radiation), which, if not protected from sun cream or block, can create carcinogenic skin diseases, such as skin cancer. Despite this, the greatest risk from exposure to radiation is found indoors. Caphirians are also at the highest risk of acute radiation exposure due to the number of nuclear reactors and facilities across the Imperium.

Despite this increased risk, there have only been two recorded nuclear meltdowns in Caphirian history, although there have been two major accidents: the first was a transport accident that occurred in 2004 when a defective gamma radiography set was transported in a passenger bus as cargo. The gamma source was outside the shielding, and it irradiated some bus passengers.

The second accident was an equipment failure that occurred in 2011 when the electronics associated with a particle accelerator used for the treatment of cancer suffered a malfunction. This then led to the overexposure of at least one patient. While the initial failure was the simple failure of a semiconductor diode, it set in motion a series of events which led to a radiation injury.

That being said, when comparing the historical safety record of civilian nuclear energy with other forms of electrical generation, there were just 39 on-the-job deaths of nuclear power plant workers worldwide, while during the same time period, there were 6,400 on-the-job deaths of coal power plant workers, 1,200 on-the-job deaths of natural gas power plant workers and members of the general public caused by natural gas power plants, and 4,000 deaths of members of the general public caused by hydroelectric power plants.

Obesity

By conventional standards, 3.1% of citizens could be classified as obese - e.g. having a BMI over 30 - and 4.3% of the population (non-citizens included) could be called underweight or malnourished - e.g. having a BMI under 18.5. These standards would declare only 7.4% of residents as living at an unhealthy weight. The same standards would say that 20.7% of male citizens and 44.9% of female citizens could be classified as overweight. The disproportionate number of women carrying more weight than some societies might consider normal is attributable to the Caphirian preference for voluptuous female bodies, accentuating the statistically desired 7:10 waist-to-hip ratio. In the most recent public census, where detailed health exams were given to every citizen, the average waist size for woman was 31.5in and average hip size was 41in. Census data across the centuries shows little variety on this matter.

Life expectancy and mortality

Caphiria has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. The average national life expectancy in Caphiria is 81.3 years. By gender, the average is higher for women at 83.6 compared to 78.9 for men. This can be explored further by going into detail based off of social class: Obviously the Patrician class has the highest life expectancy at 86 years, the Equestrians at 81, Upper-Plebs at 78, Lower-Plebs at 76, and the Indigeni at 68 years on average.

Caphiria also has a very low rate of infant mortality, that of 5.51 out of 1000 people. Its birthrate is among the highest in the developed world, at 1.73 births per woman.

Sex and abortion

The ability to consent for financial transactions and sexual intercourse is gained with citizenship, or when that is not forthcoming, at the age of 16. The average childbearing ages are 20 for women and 24 for men. The notion of teenage pregnancy is not distinguished from adult pregnancy and it is hardly uncommon for girls in the 16 to 19 range to bear children. According to the last census, 89% of teenagers with children had the baby in the bounds of legal matrimony. Abortion, while legal if it poses a risk to woman's life, to her health, rape, fetal impairment, or socioeconomic factors, is still limited in several ways. A woman needs approval for each abortion, which must be obtained from two doctors (or one in special circumstances). In addition, the NHS does not cover abortions and so women must pay a $333 fine at NHS hospitals or risk incurring an even larger expense at a private facility.

Still, contraception is readily available as a pill or physical countermeasure, which helped contributed to the facility of prostitution, a completely legal, if disreputable, profession. The infamy of prostitution has not stopped the Senate from offering health and wage coverage in the event one becomes pregnant or from directly running public brothels.

Smoking

Smoking in Caphiria been banned in public places including public transport, hospitals, cinemas, theaters, universities, museums, libraries, bars, restaurants, and offices since 2009. However, private businesses are allowed to have a smoking room given they apply for a permit and follow regulations.

In general, smoking has decreased greatly in the past decades for men, yet women have had a less definitive pattern. For men, smoking has decreased over 70% though it has increased 22% for women. It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 16 years. Minors under the age of 16 years may not smoke in any school or on school property. Electronic cigarettes and their various types have been banned since 2009.

The smoking rate in Caphiria is about about 20%.