:Comparison between the distributions of ages in South VS distribution throughout the nation
Aged 0-14 years are approximately 30.5% of the population in Southern District compared with 28.3% across the nation.
Aged 15 -65 are about 60% of the Negev population vs 62% to the whole nation.
Aged 65 years or older are approximately 9.5% compared to the district’s population 9.8% across the nation.
:Health Facilities in the South
Southern Province has 234 villages. 25 of them are urban communities and 209 rural settlements. Of the 234 settlements, 14 were Bedouin Arab communities.
More than half of funds given by the government to these communities –go to general health services
There are several reasons why the ministry of health should reconsider the distribution of medical health services.
The long distances between the localities in the Negev, The socio economic differences and the culture and the nature of the different ethnic groups that reside in this area have made it difficult for the ministry to execute its duties.
:Population health status in the south
South district life expectancy in both sexes is the lowest in all the districts in Israel: 77.3 years compared with a national life expectancy of 78.9 years.
Rate of infant deaths per 1000 live births in Southern Israel is the highest national rate of 6.1 versus 4.1
(Central Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health, Health and Demographic Profile - Social settlements Israel 1998 - 2002, May 2006)
:Scope of health services in South compared with other regions in Israel
.Health services in the south are not as available as the services in other districts
The gaps can be seen in the number of beds at the hospitals, the shortage of the medical staffs and the lack of the medical equipments.
:The Bedouin population of the Negev
An Arab-Muslim minority
Mainly traditional, religious society
Tribal affiliation is important
~ 200,000 people In transition
:Characteristics of the Bedouin population
(High fertility rate (4.8%
A very young population - median age: 12.5 years
Only 10% graduate high school matriculation exams
Bedouin towns are ranked at the bottom of the Israeli socio-economic scale
58% consanguineous marriages (1995)
: Bedouin women of the Negev
Women’s status is low
Illiteracy is prevalent among women of reproductive age
35% of Bedouin women in 2000 had no schooling
Polygamy is practiced (estimated 20-35%)
Infant mortality and genetic diseases:
3-fold higher infant mortality in Bedouin vs. Jews of the Negev
– 14.1 vs. 4.1/per 1000 live births (2005)
>40%
of Bedouin infant mortality is attributed to congenital malformations and hereditary diseases
Most genetic diseases prevalent in this community cause childhood mortality or severe impairment
The emotional and economic burden on families is tremendous
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