About 30% of the Israeli public reports a change for the worse in their health, according to a comprehensive survey conducted by Maccabi Health Services on the six-month anniversary of the war. In addition, about 35% of the Israelis who suffer from chronic diseases, which make up about a quarter of the general population, reported that they feel that their illness has worsened as a result of the situation.
A 25% decrease in the number of Israelis who testify that their health condition is excellent or very good. Before the war, 61% of the Israeli public testified that their health condition in general was very good or excellent, and only 8% testified that their health condition was moderate or poor. Now the results of the Maccabi survey show that only 46% of the public reports a very good or excellent health condition and 17% reports a moderate or poor health condition – an increase of more than 100% from the period before the war.
When segmented according to background variables, it can be seen that only 41% of women indicate an excellent or very good health condition compared to 51% of men. 36% of women report a change in their health status for the worse compared to 23% of men. 33% of men and women aged 20-49 testify to the deterioration of their health compared to 23% of those aged 50 and over. 48% of those with a medium income and below (below the average) testified to a worsening of a chronic disease, compared to 22% of those with a high income.
34% of the respondents who had an appointment with a doctor or for a prearranged medical examination reported that they gave up or postponed the appointment and 20% reported that they gave up or postponed an important screening test, such as a mammogram or colonoscopy.
50% sleep less well
The survey conducted by Maccabi shows that 43% of the Israeli public on the eve of Passover report a change for the worse in their mental state since the outbreak of the war. 61% of Israelis reported that before the events of October 7th they defined their mental state as very good/excellent and only 37% of respondents continue to feel this way even today. The percentage of Israelis who perceive their mental state as average or bad increased from 11% to 28% – an increase of more than 150%. Every fourth Israeli testifies that he feels the need to receive mental help from professionals due to the war.
When segmented by background variables, it can be seen that only 28% of women rate their mental state as very good or excellent compared to 47% of men. Another big gap between the sexes can be seen in the change for the worse in the mental state – 55% of women compared to 31% of men,
50% of the respondents to the survey stated that they sleep less well these days. 62% of women and 38% of men reported a negative change in sleep quality. The segmentation also shows that young people and those with below-average incomes are more in need of psychological assistance, as testified by 31% of those aged 20-29 compared to 19% of those aged 50+, as well as 32% of those with below-average incomes, and 20% of those with above-average incomes.
Smoking more and not keeping the weight
The Israelis’ adherence to a healthy lifestyle was also significantly affected by the outbreak of hostilities. According to the findings of the survey, the percentage of Israelis who indicate that they do not adhere to a healthy lifestyle at all or only to a small extent increased from 15% before the war to 22% today. Only 36% of the public testified that they follow a healthy lifestyle to a great or great extent compared to 44% before the October 7 events.
Six months after the war, 37% of the Israeli public testified to weight gain and 15% testified to weight loss. In addition, about 30% of smokers or ex-smokers indicated that following the war they returned to smoking or increased the amount of smoking consumed.
“Six months into the war, and the results of the health survey we conducted among the general Israeli public indicate worrisome and disturbing feelings felt by the citizens of the country in regards to their health,” says the head of the health division of Maccabi Health Services, Dr. Eran Rothman. “Precisely these days, Maccabi as a national health organization calls on the public to continue to maintain their health, to be careful to maintain the therapeutic-medical continuum and to give utmost attention to our mental and physical health. Such attention will help reduce the risk of disease outbreaks and avoid further unnecessary deterioration.”
The survey was conducted at the end of March 2024 among a representative sample of over 1,000 Israelis from all over the country, members of all health insurance funds, aged 20-75.
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2024-04-18 12:08:50
