In 2022, malignant tumors and heart disease were the top two causes of death in Israel for both men and women. Cancer claimed the lives of 11,650 individuals in the country this year, with specific types of cancer varying between the sexes. Among men, trachea, bronchi, and lung cancer were most prevalent, while breast cancer was the most common among women. The report also highlighted the impact of the corona epidemic as the third leading cause of death between 2020-2022.
Examining gender disparities, the report found that the death rate for all causes was 1.5 times higher among men compared to women in 2022. This is despite Israel having lower mortality rates from leading causes like cancer and heart disease compared to most OECD countries. However, Israel had higher mortality rates from infectious diseases over the last decade.
The study also noted a significant decrease in mortality rates from ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases over the past 40 years. This trend was consistent with other OECD countries, but it was particularly noticeable in Israel due to its relatively young population. In an international comparison with OECD countries, Israel ranked eighth in mortality from all causes. While this is below average for many OECD countries, it still highlights areas where improvements can be made in healthcare outcomes in Israel.
Overall, the report provided insights into the distribution of leading causes of death in Israel and how they vary by gender and age group. It also shed light on trends in mortality rates over time and how they compare to other developed countries around the world.
In recent years, malignant tumors have emerged as one of the biggest health challenges facing Israelis. According to a report published by The Jerusalem Post earlier this year (January), cancer killed more people than any other disease during 2019 – including heart disease – with a total of 38,474 deaths recorded that year.
However, there are some positive signs when it comes to cardiovascular health in Israel. A study published by The Lancet earlier this month (August) found that Israeli adults aged between 55 and 74 had some of the lowest levels of cardiovascular risk factors compared to those living elsewhere in Europe or North America.
This suggests that lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and healthy eating habits could play a big role in reducing cardiovascular disease risk across different age groups within Israel.
Aside from these health concerns, there are also social disparities at play when it comes to life expectancy across different regions within Israel.
According to data from World Bank statistics released earlier this year (March), life expectancy at birth varies significantly depending on where you live within Israel – with residents living on average eight years longer than those living in certain areas such as Gaza City or East Jerusalem.