DIABETES MELLITUS: A MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM IN PALESTINE

Dr. Hassan Ata Abu Obaid*

ABSTRACT

Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) has reached pandemic proportions worldwide. The International Diabetes Federation estimated the worldwide prevalence of DM at 415 to 642 million by 2024. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the prevalence rate was 10.5% in the West Bank and 11.8% in the Gaza Strip among the registered Palestinian refugees aged 40 years and older(UNRWA,2007). A study conducted by Almoutaz in 2011 to estimate the prevalence rate it found was 9.6%. Diabetes is one of the four priority non-communicable diseases (NCDs) identified by the WHO along with cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes heart attack and stroke, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease , Diabetes is common, chronic, and costly. Many of the risk factors leading to Type 2 diabetes, which is the common form of diabetes, are modifiable. Examples are obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and smoking. Conclusion This review has to describe the magnitude of the Diabetes Miletus, A Public Health problem in Palestine, Impact of diabetes, Risk Factors of diabetes, Health services provided for diabetic patients in Palestine, Mortality of diabetes, cost, and identified the barriers and challenges of diabetes care, and provided information about how to Prevent and development of Diabetes according to the Global Plan 2011- 2021, then to reduce the incidence and prevalence rate.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Diabetic foot, Gaza Strip, Palestine.