Israel – Health Issues

What are the most common health issues and diseases in Israel?

As with other high-income nations, Israel’s disease burden is overwhelmingly shaped by non-communicable, lifestyle-driven conditions. Coronary heart disease stands among the leading causes of death, and when combined with cancer, these two categories account for roughly 40% of all mortality. There is encouraging news, however: the death rate from heart disease has fallen by around 50% since 1998, driven in part by reductions in tobacco use and sustained national programmes targeting obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.

Cancer is responsible for close to a quarter of all deaths in Israel, making it a leading cause of mortality. Among men, lung cancer — strongly associated with smoking — is the most prevalent cancer, while breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Israel’s national health basket, which defines the treatments available under universal coverage, is reviewed and expanded annually. The 2026 basket introduced new breast cancer therapies, updated treatments for metastatic lung cancer, and medications aimed at reducing the recurrence of brain tumours.

Diabetes follows cancer and heart disease as a significant cause of death, with mortality rates from the condition comparatively elevated against some other wealthy nations. There are also marked disparities between demographic groups. Research published in 2024 found that 18.3% of the Arab population carried a diabetes diagnosis and 28.8% had obesity, versus 17.5% and 22.5% respectively among the Jewish population. These differences reflect inequities in both healthcare access and lifestyle factors across communities, and narrowing these gaps remains an active priority for Israeli public health policymakers.

Geographic disparities in service provision also exist, with Israel’s southern region being the most underserved. Expats who settle in peripheral areas or smaller towns may discover that access to specialist care is more restricted than in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.

Is Israel considered a healthy country? How do health outcomes compare internationally?

On an international scale, Israel’s population health outcomes are remarkably strong. According to the OECD’s 2022–2023 report, life expectancy stood at 83.8 years — the fourth highest among developed nations, trailing only Spain (84.0), Japan (84.1), and Switzerland (84.3). What makes this achievement particularly notable is that it is accomplished with comparatively modest spending: Israel allocates just 7.6% of its GDP to health, well below Germany’s 12.3%, France’s 11.5%, and Sweden’s 11.3%, yet achieves low infant mortality rates alongside some of the OECD’s best figures for heart disease and avoidable deaths.

Israel places second only to Switzerland in preventable mortality, recording just 134 deaths per 100,000 people — a meaningful improvement from 170 deaths per 100,000 in 2010, reflecting advances in public health initiatives, earlier clinical intervention, and emergency medical services. The infant mortality rate is also below the OECD average, at just 2.7 per 100,000 births.

It is worth noting that these figures are drawn from 2023 data. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, life expectancy in Israel fell in 2024 for the first time since 2020, even when war-related deaths are excluded. The overall trajectory remains positive by global standards, but expats are encouraged to consult the Israeli Ministry of Health and the WHO Israel country profile for the most current figures.

Structurally, Israel’s healthcare system extracts impressive results from relatively constrained resources, outperforming the OECD average in both quality of care and access. Nonetheless, significant challenges persist: a healthcare workforce in crisis, shortages of hospital beds and medical equipment, and extended waiting times for specialist appointments. The most pronounced disparities remain along ethnic lines — the life expectancy gap between Jewish and Arab residents stands at 3.6 years (84.3 years among Jewish Israelis compared with 80.7 years among Arab Israelis).

What infectious diseases or environmental health risks should expats be aware of in Israel?

As a developed, high-income country, Israel does not carry the tropical disease risks associated with parts of Africa, South Asia, or Latin America. Nevertheless, there are specific infectious and environmental hazards that expats should understand before relocating.

West Nile Virus is the most significant vector-borne disease in Israel. Since May 2024, the country has been managing a substantial West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak. The virus is a viral zoonotic disease transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of Culex mosquitoes, with birds serving as the natural reservoir. While the majority of infections produce no symptoms at all, the illness can range from a mild, non-specific fever to severe neurological complications. Outbreaks follow a seasonal pattern, intensifying during summer and peaking in early autumn. Applying mosquito repellent and wearing protective clothing during these months is strongly recommended, particularly when spending time outside urban areas.

Air pollution is an environmental health hazard that many expats do not anticipate. Israelis are exposed to ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations of 18.6 micrograms per cubic metre — considerably higher than the OECD average of 11.2 micrograms. This elevation is partly attributable to regional dust and sand events, most notably Saharan dust storms that can dramatically degrade air quality for several days at a time, as well as vehicle emissions in cities. Expats with asthma or other respiratory conditions should familiarise themselves with local air quality monitoring services and be prepared to act during high-pollution events.

Polio has re-emerged as a concern in the broader region. The ongoing conflict has damaged public health infrastructure, suppressing vaccination uptake and enabling outbreaks of communicable diseases. A notable emergency has arisen with the detection of poliovirus in the Gaza Strip, which has implications for the wider region and underscores the importance of robust vaccination coordination. Israel’s own routine immunisation programme remains strong, with vaccination coverage exceeding 90% for measles and comparable routine vaccines — broadly consistent with OECD norms.

Standard travel vaccinations are generally recommended for visitors and new residents. These typically include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and confirmation that all routine immunisations — MMR, tetanus, polio — are current. Consult the official travel health guidance from your home country as well as the Israel Ministry of Health vaccination page for the latest recommendations before you travel. Mains tap water in Israeli cities is generally safe to drink, and food safety standards are broadly comparable to those of other high-income OECD countries.

Is smoking common in Israel, and what are the laws around it?

Tobacco use continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Israel. Around 16% of all Israelis smoke, a habit linked to approximately 8,000 deaths each year. While there has been some decline in smoking rates over the past decade, progress has been slower and less consistent than in the majority of OECD countries. More detailed data reveals an even more complex picture: between 2019 and 2022, smoking prevalence among individuals aged 16–74 actually rose by 1.6%. Among men, this increase was concentrated in the lowest socioeconomic group, while among women, the highest rates were found in the middle-to-upper socioeconomic tier. When looking at adults over 20, approximately 25% of the population smokes.

Israel has progressively tightened its anti-smoking legislation over recent decades. Smoking is now prohibited across all enclosed public spaces — restaurants, cafés, bars, shopping centres, workplaces, and public transport — an approach broadly comparable to the regulatory frameworks in France or Germany. Bans also apply to certain outdoor areas, including near the entrances to schools. The Ministry of Health has further required graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging alongside existing text caution labels, as part of a broader strategy to reduce tobacco consumption.

Despite this legal framework, enforcement can be inconsistent in practice, and expats accustomed to strong compliance with smoking bans — such as those arriving from Ireland or New Zealand — may be surprised to encounter smokers in outdoor dining settings or near public buildings. Hookah (nargilah) smoking is deeply embedded in parts of Israeli and broader Middle Eastern culture, and hookah cafés remain a common feature, though these are equally subject to indoor smoking restrictions. Regulations around vaping have been tightened in recent years, broadly bringing Israel into alignment with EU standards on nicotine products — though the latest guidance from the Ministry of Health should always be consulted for current rules.

Is obesity or poor diet a significant health concern in Israel?

Obesity is an increasing concern in Israel, even if current rates remain broadly on par with those of many comparable high-income nations. Self-reported obesity prevalence stood at 18% — close to the OECD average of 19% as of 2025 OECD data. However, self-reported data typically underestimates true prevalence, and rates are notably higher in certain population groups as detailed above.

Israel’s traditional dietary pattern — frequently characterised as a Mediterranean diet — is considered one of the more health-promoting ways of eating in the world. A cuisine built around fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, olive oil, and fish is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Israeli food culture draws richly from Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African culinary traditions, featuring abundant salads, hummus, fish dishes, and minimally processed ingredients. Yet as in many countries, urbanisation and the spread of processed food have eroded some of these traditional habits, especially among younger generations.

Rising rates of chronic disease — including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity — are recognised challenges in Israeli society, and the government has responded with targeted interventions. The 2026 national health basket extended coverage of medications such as Ozempic and Rybelsus beyond type 2 diabetes to additional patient groups, including those with cardiovascular and kidney conditions. Wegovy has also been added for the treatment of obesity under the updated basket, reflecting the weight that authorities attach to excess body weight as a driver of preventable disease. The Ministry of Health runs ongoing public health campaigns encouraging physical activity and improved nutrition, with a particular focus on children and families.

What are the mental health attitudes and services like in Israel?

Mental health has become an increasingly urgent topic in Israel, with awareness growing substantially in recent years — particularly in the context of protracted regional conflict that has placed immense pressure on both the population and the health system. A study conducted by the Maccabi health maintenance organisation found that 26% of all soldiers were experiencing symptoms of depression, and that approximately one in three Israelis felt they needed psychological support.

One year following the outbreak of the October 2023 war, more than 70,000 people had been formally recognised as victims of hostile actions, and nearly 13,000 had submitted claims for permanent disability benefits — the overwhelming majority on psychological grounds. This has created intense demand on an already stretched mental health infrastructure. Strengthening mental health and rehabilitation services has been identified as a strategic priority for long-term planning.

Culturally, attitudes towards mental health in Israel are varied. In some communities — particularly more traditional or religiously observant ones — seeking psychological help can still carry stigma, though this is shifting noticeably among younger, urban populations. A well-developed private therapy sector exists, and psychologists and psychiatrists are readily accessible in major cities, with many practitioners offering consultations in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, and other languages widely spoken among Israel’s diverse population.

Under Israel’s national health insurance law, mental health services are included within the public health basket — in contrast to systems in some countries where mental healthcare sits largely outside mainstream public provision. Since mental health was integrated into the general health basket in 2015, residents enrolled in one of the four health funds (Kupot Holim) have had a legal right to mental health treatment within the public system. In practice, however, waiting times for specialist care — including in psychiatry and psychology — remain a genuine obstacle. Many expats therefore choose to see private therapists, which typically means shorter wait times and greater flexibility in terms of the language of treatment. Private therapy sessions generally cost between 300–600 NIS per session, though this range can vary considerably; always confirm current fees directly with individual providers.

Are there any health risks specific to expats living in Israel?

Relocating to any new country brings a period of health adaptation, and Israel presents its own distinct set of considerations for newcomers arriving from abroad.

Climate adjustment: Israel’s climate is hot and dry, with prolonged summers — especially along the coastal plain, across the Negev desert, and in the Jordan Valley. Temperatures can surpass 35–40°C in summer months, posing genuine risks of heatstroke and dehydration for those unaccustomed to such conditions. Expats should maintain good hydration, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and recognise the early signs of heat exhaustion. Southern and eastern regions — such as Eilat and the Dead Sea area — are substantially hotter in summer than Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.

Air pollution and allergens: With ambient PM2.5 levels of 18.6 micrograms per cubic metre — well above the OECD average — expats with asthma, hay fever, or chronic respiratory conditions should expect potentially higher exposure to airborne irritants than in northern or western Europe. Spring pollen seasons can be intense, and Saharan dust storms, known locally as “sharav” or “hamsin,” can cause sudden, multi-day deteriorations in air quality.

Stress and security: Israel’s security environment is unlike that of most developed countries. The psychological toll of living amid periodic security alerts, a social environment shaped by mandatory military service for Israeli citizens, and the enduring regional conflict should not be underestimated. Expats are encouraged to cultivate strong social networks and to seek professional mental health support whenever it is needed.

Registering with a health fund: Expats who acquire Israeli residency status are entitled to enrol in one of the four national health funds — Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, or Leumit. Completing this registration promptly after arrival is essential for accessing subsidised healthcare. Those residing in Israel temporarily or without residency status will need to maintain comprehensive private health insurance. Consult the Ministry of Health website for up-to-date eligibility criteria, as these are subject to change.

Practical steps:

1. Ensure your routine vaccinations are fully up to date before arrival, including MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and polio.
2. Register with a health fund (Kupat Holim) as soon as you are eligible following your arrival and residency registration.
3. Arrange comprehensive private health insurance if you do not yet have residency status entitling you to public coverage.
4. Obtain a full health screening if you have not done so recently — particularly for conditions common in Israel such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia.
5. Identify a local GP (Rofe Mishpacha — family doctor) within your health fund as your first point of contact for healthcare.
6. Check the Ministry of Health’s air quality alerts during summer months, especially if you have a respiratory condition.
7. Carry an adequate supply of any prescription medications until you have registered with a local doctor and confirmed local availability.

Where can expats find reliable health information and services in Israel?

Accessing accurate, current health information is essential when establishing yourself in a new country. Israel offers expats a range of official and practical resources to draw on.

The principal official source is the Israeli Ministry of Health, which publishes guidance in both Hebrew and English on vaccinations, infectious disease outbreaks, public health regulations, and the national health basket. For population health trends and demographic data, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) produces annual health and demographic reports.

For international context and benchmarking, the WHO Israel country profile and the OECD Health at a Glance series provide regularly updated overviews of Israel’s health indicators. The European Observatory’s 2024 report, Health Systems in Action: Israel, offers a comprehensive and authoritative analysis of the structure and performance of Israel’s healthcare system.

Despite strong overall performance, the constraints of relatively low public health spending translate into meaningful gaps in financial protection — 5.7% of households face catastrophic health expenditure, and in 2021, 11% of adults reported unmet healthcare needs due to cost. For this reason, many residents opt to purchase supplementary private insurance, known as “Bituach Mashlim” or complementary insurance, which is offered through each of the health funds. Expats are advised to explore this option once they have enrolled in a health fund.

For expat-specific healthcare needs, international clinics in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem frequently employ multilingual staff experienced in treating patients from diverse cultural and national backgrounds. All four health funds — Clalit, Maccabi, Meuhedet, and Leumit — offer English-language services and digital member portals. Always verify specific details such as vaccination requirements, eligibility rules, and healthcare costs directly with official sources before and after your move, as these can and do change.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Issues in Israel

Do I need any vaccinations before moving to Israel?

No vaccinations are legally mandatory for entry to Israel, unless you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic. That said, health authorities strongly advise ensuring all routine immunisations are current before you relocate — including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), tetanus, polio, and hepatitis A and B. Consult both your home country’s travel health authority and the Israeli Ministry of Health for the latest recommendations, as these can be updated at any time.

Is the water safe to drink in Israel?

Yes. Municipal tap water across Israeli cities and towns is treated and meets international drinking water standards, making it safe to consume directly from the tap. Israel is a global leader in desalination technology, and a substantial portion of its water supply comes from desalination facilities. Some residents choose filtered or bottled water for taste reasons, but this is a personal preference rather than a safety necessity in most urban locations.

How does Israel’s healthcare system work for expats?

Expats who gain Israeli residency status are entitled to enrol in one of the four national health funds (Kupot Holim) and access the universal healthcare system through monthly contributions deducted via the national insurance (Bituach Leumi) mechanism. Those without residency must rely on private health insurance. Long waiting times and geographic limitations lead many residents to supplement their public coverage with private care, often financed through voluntary health insurance. Expats who do not yet have residency should arrange comprehensive private cover before arriving.

Is West Nile virus a serious risk for expats in Israel?

West Nile fever is spread through the bites of Culex mosquitoes and can produce illness ranging from a brief, mild fever to serious neurological complications. The 2024 outbreak was associated with significant mortality and lasting functional impairment among those hospitalised. The majority of cases are either asymptomatic or mild, but elderly individuals and those with compromised immune systems face greater risk. Applying mosquito repellent — particularly during summer evenings — is the most effective preventive strategy. There is currently no licensed human vaccine available.

How common is air pollution in Israel, and should I be concerned?

Israel’s ambient PM2.5 concentration stands at 18.6 micrograms per cubic metre, substantially above the OECD average of 11.2 micrograms. Expats with asthma, respiratory allergies, or chronic lung conditions should keep track of air quality — particularly during seasonal dust storms (locally called sharav or hamsin) — and speak with a doctor before relocating if they have relevant health concerns. Urban areas such as Tel Aviv also experience elevated vehicle emission levels. Both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection issue air quality advisories.

Are mental health services accessible to expats in Israel?

Since mental health was incorporated into Israel’s public health basket in 2015, residents enrolled in a health fund have held the legal right to publicly funded mental health treatment. In practice, however, waiting times within the public system can be considerable. Many expats turn to private psychologists or therapists — particularly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where practitioners fluent in multiple languages are widely available. A 2024 study found that roughly one in three Israelis felt they needed psychological support, reflecting both high demand and a well-developed private sector to help meet it.

Are there health disparities within Israel that expats should know about?

Yes. Geographic inequalities in service availability are significant, with the southern region of Israel the most underserved part of the country. The most pronounced disparities in health outcomes fall along ethnic lines, with Arab residents experiencing a life expectancy 3.6 years shorter than Jewish residents. Expats who settle outside major urban centres — particularly in the Negev or the northern periphery — are likely to face reduced access to specialists and longer waiting times, making supplementary private insurance particularly valuable in those locations.

What is the biggest lifestyle health risk for expats moving to Israel?

The most commonly encountered lifestyle health challenges for newcomers are the combination of intense summer heat, the social and psychological adjustment of settling in a new and sometimes stressful environment, and exposure to Israel’s comparatively elevated smoking culture. Heat-related illness is a concrete risk — especially for those arriving from cooler climates during summer months. Embracing Israel’s traditionally Mediterranean dietary pattern, which is rich in vegetables, legumes, fish, and olive oil, is widely considered health-protective and is abundantly accessible. Registering with a local GP shortly after arrival remains the single most impactful step any expat can take to safeguard their health from the outset.