Health in Iran
As for many
The Human Rights Measurement Initiative[1] finds that Iran is fulfilling 88.6% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to health based on its level of income.[2] When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Iran achieves 96.5% of what is expected based on its current income.[2] In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves 98.8% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income.[2] Iran falls into the "very bad" category when evaluating the right to reproductive health because the nation is fulfilling only 70.6% of what the nation is expected to achieve based on the resources (income) it has available.[2]
Water and sanitation
Iran has one of the highest percentages of population in the Middle East with access to safe drinking water, with an estimate of 92% of its people enjoying such access (nearly 100% in urban areas and about 80% in rural areas as of 2007).[3][4]
There is a considerable shortfall in sewage treatment; for example, in Tehran the majority of the population has no wastewater treatment, with raw sewage being injected directly into the groundwater.[5] As the water crisis deepens with an expanding population, this pollution of groundwater causes increasing health risks.
Nutrition and fitness
Nutrition
Forty-five million Iranians face inadequate nutrition according to Iranian officials.[6] Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad, Sistan-Baluchistan, Hormozgan, Kerman and Khuzestan as provinces that face malnutrition or food insecurity.[6]
Diet, food ingredients and junk food
The soft drinks industry is valued at about $2 billion a year. As of 2008, Iran produces about 3 billion litres of different types of soft drinks to address consumption of 46 litres per capita, and they export more than 12% of its production. Increased awareness with regards to the damages of carbonated drinks and sugar, and high levels of diabetes has created a move towards healthier products.[7]
Food safety and packaging
The Codex Commission of Food Stuff, established in 2002 is in charge of setting and developing standards and quality and health regulations, related to the production of and trade in raw agricultural products and food stuffs, in accordance with the different global standards. Tainted meat has been imported according to Iranian authorities.
Obesity
In 1988, Iran was one of the top seven countries with the highest rate of childhood obesity. In 2005, 33.7% of adults were at risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Eight million Iranians already live with this syndrome.[10] In 1995, 24.7% of boys and 26.8% of girls age 6 were overweight.
One of the major reasons for increased obesity is urbanization. In 2005, an average Iranian citizen consumed 42 liters of soda per year, as well as 40% more carbohydrates, 30% more fat, and 40% more food than the body needs. The greater availability of fast food and junk food in combination with a low activity lifestyle has contributed to the obesity trend.[10] Other factors include the impact of technology and a high consumption of rice and bread. Many families with a moderate income are limited in the foods they are able to afford, resulting in a higher incidence of obese children. However, childhood obesity is not a concern because it is believed that these children will outgrow their fatness as they age. The health impact of childhood obesity is unknown. The tendency of obesity is increasing among children.[11] The outbreak of obesity is increasing amid both girls and boys in civic area but sometimes it shows decrease in boys and girls in rustic area. Overweight should be observed as a preference and to be considered in relation with expansion of the different areas and districts.[12]
Physical fitness
As an additional measure of
Communicable diseases & addictions
Immunization of children is accessible to most of the urban and rural population.[16]
Cholera
Cholera has been a persistent problem in Iran. In the 2005 epidemic which involved loss of lives, state television warned people not to eat vegetables or buy ice blocks on the streets.[17] Salads were also banned in some restaurants. The 1998 epidemic involved considerably more cases and loss of life.
HIV/AIDS
Increased drug use has driven up the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 2005 two-thirds of the official total of 9,800 HIV cases were attributed to drug use. Iran has established a national HIV treatment system, including 150 testing sites and a free needle exchange program.[18]
According to the
The rate of the epidemic in Iran is however still very low compared to international standards. Iran has a low prevalence of HIV infections with a rate of about 0.16 percent of the adult population (18,000 cases, officially) compared with 0.8 percent in North America (2008).
Illegal drugs
Iran discovers 3 tons of drugs daily.[28][29] In 2005, estimates of the number of drug addicts ranged from 2 to 4 million (1.2 million according to the Government).[30] Reasons for addiction include lack of economic prospects among the youth and lack of freedom. In a 2014 survey, 30.6% of the youth considered financial issues as their biggest concern, while 28.9% chose unemployment, 10.8% university acceptance, and 7.5% marriage issues as their biggest worries.[15]
Smoking
Iran has implemented a strict
About 20% of adult male and 4.5% of adult female population in the country smoke tobacco (12 million smokers according to some estimates).[33][34] 60,000 Iranians die directly or indirectly due to smoking every year (2008).[35] Smoking is responsible for 25% of death in the country.[34] Approx. 54bn-60bn cigarettes are believed to be consumed annually in Iran.[36] Around 2.7bn cigarettes are smuggled into Iran annually, according to officials from the state-owned Iranian Tobacco Company (ITC), on top of another 26.7bn which are imported legally (2008).[16] Imports of cigarettes, tobacco, cigars, cigarette paper, cigarette tips are subject to government monopoly.[37] Iranians spend more than $1.8 billion a year on tobacco.[36] According to a 2010 law, smokers henceforth will not be appointed to senior government jobs.[36]
Air pollution
Some sources say Iran's air pollution is some of the worst in the world. are also a reported health hazard/air pollutant according to the authorities.
Alcohol consumption
Prohibited in Iran because of the Islamic law, except for non-Muslims who can legally consume alcoholic beverages in private. Alcohol smuggling into Iran was estimated at nearly $1 billion in 2010.[42][43] More than 200,000 people in Iran are estimated to be involved in bootlegging. Many rely on what's made in people's basements or gardens in unsanitary conditions.[44]
COVID-19
Iran has been among the worst affected countries by the COVID-19 2019-pandemic claiming thousands of lives in the country (2020).
Family planning
The Islamic Republic of Iran has a comprehensive and effective program of
Leading causes of mortality
Healthcare in Iran (Source: EIU)[16] | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 est. | 2009 est. | 2010 est. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Life expectancy, average (years) | 70.0 | 70.3 | 70.6 | 70.9 | 71.1 | 71.4 |
Healthcare spending (% of GDP) | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
Healthcare spending ($ per head) | 113 | 132 | 150 | 191 | 223 | 261 |
In the early 2000s the main natural causes of death have been
According to Ministry of Health and Medical Education, in 2003, 41% of total deaths were due to diseases of the circulatory system. Myocardial infarction as the cause of 25% of deaths was the leading cause of mortality among the population.[51]
From 2001 to 2010, over 438,000 Iranians have died from "unnatural deaths" such as electric shocks, gas poisoning, and drug intoxication.[53] 4,055 people committed suicide in 2013 and the number of suicides is on the rise. In 2013, the Association of Social Workers of Iran indicated that 61,000 people committed suicide in Iran from 2001 to 2011.[54]
According to Iran's parliamentary committee on health and treatment in 2015, 12 million Iranians suffer from
Women's health in Iran
Similar to other countries, health of Iranian women plays a crucial role in well-being and economic growth of their society. Over the years, there has been significant progress in improving physical, mental and social health of women in this country. However, various obstacles have remained to be overcome to achieve the optimal well-being of Iranian women. Therefore, it is important to understand their challenges and the underlying explanations behind them.
Physical Health
Life Expectancy
According to WHO data published in 2018,
Maternal Health
In 1975,
Sexual Health
Sexually transmitted infection (STIs)
HIV-1 prevalence among Iranian women
By 2018, of the 60,000 adults living with HIV in Iran, 15,000 (25%) are woman.
Adult and children living with HIV | 61,000 (34,000 – 120,000) |
Women living with HIV | 15,000 (8900 – 30,000) |
Adult and children deaths due to AIDS | 2600 (1400 – 5100) |
Death due to AIDS among women aged 15 and over | <500 |
Adult and children newly infected with HIV | 4400 (1100 – 12,000) |
Women newly infected with HIV | 1000 (<500 – 3000) |
Coverage of adults and children receiving ART (%) | 20 (11 – 39) |
Women aged 15 and over receiving ART (%) | 27 (16 – 53) |
Coverage of pregnant women who receive ARV for PMTCT (%) | 81 (41 – >95) |
Knowledge about HIV prevention among people aged 15–24 (%) | 18.27 |
Knowledge about HIV prevention among women aged 15–24 (%) | 16.21 |
Social health and women empowerment
In 2018, Iran was ranked 142 out of 149 for Global Gender Gap Index (GGI score: 0.589). As the women in many parts of the world, the gender gap in Iran is evident in all sub-indices including economic participation and opportunity (rank: 143; score: 0.376), political empowerment (rank: 141; score: 0.046), educational attempt (rank: 103; score: 0.969) and health and survival (rank: 127; score 0.966).[64]
Year | Gender gap ranking | GGI |
---|---|---|
2018 | 142 | 0.5890 |
2017 | 140 | 0.5830 |
2016 | 139 | 0.5875 |
2015 | 141 | 0.5800 |
2014 | 137 | 0.5811 |
2013 | 130 | 0.5842 |
2012 | 127 | 0.5927 |
2011 | 125 | 0.5894 |
2010 | 123 | 0.5933 |
2009 | 128 | 0.5839 |
2008 | 116 | 0.6021 |
2007 | 118 | 0.5903 |
2006 | 108 | 0.5803 |
Child marriage
It is estimated that 17% of Iranian girls under age of 18 are married. However, thousands of such marriages are not officially registered. Child marriage in Iran is mainly driven by gender inequality, religion, poverty and traditional costume. In line with target 5.3 of Sustainable Development Goals, Iran has made a commitment to eliminate child marriage by 2030.[66]
See also
- Healthcare in Iran
- Ministry of Health and Medical Education (Iran)
- Economy of Iran
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