New survey: a third of the evacuees report a change in their health condition for the worse

About a third of the evacuees reported a change in their health condition for the worse, according to a new survey conducted by Maccabi Health Services that reveals the medical and mental condition of the evacuees from their homes since the outbreak of the war. The survey also shows that 76% of the evacuees who had an appointment, postponed or gave up on a doctor’s appointment or a pre-arranged medical examination, and about half testified that they had given up screening tests.

According to the survey, 38% of the evacuees reported that their mental state was average or worse – almost 3 times the state before the war (13%). About a third of the evacuees reported that they are bothered by emotional problems all the time or often. In addition to this, 45% of the evacuees feel that they need mental assistance from a professional. 70% of those who contacted on this subject are currently being treated and 22% feel they need assistance but have not contacted to receive it.

Since the outbreak of the war, there has been a 45% increase in evacuees who testify that they are taking medication to treat depression or anxiety (prescription or not), and 67% of the evacuees reported that there was a decrease in the quality of their sleep.

Also, among evacuees who performed regular physical activity before the war – about 50% testified that they perform less than it and about 20% testified that they stopped completely. Among the smokers or ex-smokers – 43% reported that following the war they started or increased the frequency of smoking.

The study population included people who had to evacuate their homes for a period of at least two weeks, with 90% of them evacuating for a period of over a month. The survey, conducted in February, included over 300 interviewees who were evacuated from their homes in the south and north of the country.

Head of the Health Division at Maccabi Health Services Dr. Eran Rothman: “It has been almost six months that tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes and are facing unusual difficulties accompanied by uncertainty, distress and anxiety. The survey reveals particularly worrying findings and the deterioration in the physical and mental health of the evacuees is evident. Maccabi stands by the residents evacuated by the outbreak of the war and provides them with a full medical package, both Both physically and mentally, wherever they are.”