In Israel, the rate of female smoking aged 16-74 is approximately 13.6%. However, there are significant disparities among cities, with Safed having the highest rate at about 18.7%. Other cities with high rates include Tel Aviv, Beer Sheva, Ashkelon, and Haifa, where over 16% of women smoke. On the other hand, Judea and Samaria and Acre have the lowest rates at 10%.
In contrast to female smoking rates, male smoking rates aged 16-74 are almost 30%, with Be’er Sheva and Acre having the highest rates at about 34%. Judea and Samaria have lower rates of male smokers at 20.5%. The report also highlights disparities in cancer screening tests among different cities in Israel. While the national rate of mammogram screening is 71.8%, lower rates were recorded in cities like Jerusalem, Safed, and the Golan.
Regarding cervical cancer detection through Pap tests, the national rate among women aged 25-54 is only 55%, with variations across different cities. The incidence rates of colon cancer also vary across regions, with higher rates in some areas compared to others. Moreover, certain cities like Nazareth, Hadera, and Acre have higher diabetes incidence rates associated with obesity.
An increase in antibiotic prescriptions was observed in Israel in 2022, with disparities noted between different regions of the country. Addressing these disparities is crucial for improving public health in light of challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic and other health issues. Collaborative efforts between local government and health organizations are vital to addressing these disparities and improving public health outcomes in Israel.
