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All employed persons and their families in Croatia have access to complete, high-quality health care, which is covered by government-subsidized medical insurance. Croatia also has an excellent private medical system. Training in health care is offered through four medical schools, two schools of dentistry and a school of pharmacy and biochemistry, and the country has an adequate number of well-trained medical staff. Since independence, however, health care costs have risen substantially, and benefits are not available to those who are unemployed. In general, Croatians enjoy good health. Life expectancy averages 73 years, on par with other European and North American countries. The country's wealth of food, from both agriculture and fishing, ensures a stable, healthy diet for its population, and even very poor Croatians are able to find meals through caring relatives and neighbours. The most common causes of illness are cancer and circulatory problems, both of which are linked to high levels of cigarette smoking and environmental pollution.
Many Croatians young and old regularly take advantage of the country's numerous spas and medicinal mud baths, which are used to treat both sore muscles and medical ailments. Benefits come from both drinking and bathing in the mineral water. The traditions of bathing at thermal springs and applying mud to the body go back to ancient times, when Romans built thermae (hot baths) in Croatia. The country has 14 mineral and thermal springs, one medicinal oil and 15 medicinal mud centres. Most spas are located in Hrvatsko Zagorje in northern Croatia, where there are many Baroque castles and mansions, and along the Adriatic coast. Some are sport or entertainment centres. The spas of Topusko, Stubicke Toplice, Tuheljske and Varazdinske Toplice, are renowned for their effectiveness in the treatment of various ailments, such as rheumatism, metal poisoning, chronic inflammation, arthritis and respiratory problems.
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