in portugal mortality amenable to health care interventions has been reduced by between and and is now below the eu average however the rate is higher than in neighbouring countries such as spain and france ischaemic heart diseases accounted for of amenable deaths in other important causes of amenable deaths were cerebrovascular diseases of the total and cancer of the colon and rectum of the total timeliness of treatment is greatly aided by effective screening for breast cancer the screening rate for portuguese women aged is over there are no permanent intersectoral structures or bodies and decisions in areas such as urban planning or transport are not carried out in partnership with the health sector