The health problems in Lebanon come in the wake of a crumbling public health sector. Like other Middle Eastern countries, Lebanon is also undergoing an epidemiological transition.
The country’s ageing population suffers from a host of non-communicable and chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
If that’s not enough, the exit of healthcare staff amidst a volatile political climate and a lack of investments in the healthcare sector has further worsened the problem. In such a situation, individuals must take it upon themselves to avoid evitable health issues.
Here’s an overview of common health problems in Lebanon. We will also discuss some dietary and lifestyle changes to help you manage and prevent these diseases.
4 Prominent Health Problems in Lebanon
Before going into detail about the health issues in Lebanon, we can establish that most of the prevalent diseases in Lebanon, such as hypertension, are non-communicable.
These diseases result from a combination of factors, ranging from behavioural and genetic to environmental and physiological. They also tend to be chronic or long-term.
Let’s look at these health issues in Lebanon individually.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases cause the most deaths in Lebanon. They are also the primary cause of hospitalization in the country. The widespread prevalence of cardiovascular health problems in Lebanon can be attributed to several factors.
For instance, a study found that:
- 42% of people in Lebanon smoke.
- 29.4% of the individuals are obese.
- 29.8% of the Lebanese population has hypertension.
The results from the World Health Organization STEPS survey showed similar results. Including 1,899 Lebanese respondents and 2,134 Syrian refugees, the survey found 30% of the Lebanese population to be active smokers.
The survey also found the fruit and vegetable consumption of the population to be moderately low in 73% of Lebanese participants and 93% of Syrian ones.
Most respondents did not follow WHO’s (World Health Organization) recommendations for physical exercise. Apart from these factors, one-third of the study group also suffered from hypertension. Many were using antihypertensive medicines at the time.
Considering these results, it’s no surprise that ischemic heart disease caused 32.2% of all deaths in the country in 2010.
Similarly, other data shows that 404.4 deaths in every 100,000 individuals in Lebanon are due to non-communicable diseases. 45% of these deaths are a result of cardiovascular problems. Also, 30,940 of the 37,277 circulatory hospital admissions were due to heart disease.
Apart from hypertension and similar cardiovascular diseases, there are some other prevalent non-communicable health issues in Lebanon.
Cancer
Cancers are among the most concerning and widespread health problems in Lebanon. WHO Globocan data found that Lebanon had the highest incidence of lung cancer in women in the Arab region.
Lung cancer was also found to be the third-highest in Lebanese males. Other types of cancers prevalent in the country are bladder, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers.
While lung, bladder, and prostate cancers mainly affect the male population, females are prone to lung, colorectal, and breast cancers. A 2020 study reported that the cancer incidence will further increase in the country in the next decade.
Lebanese individuals older than 75 are more likely to be susceptible to cancers in Lebanon. The age group 0 to 4 years has the lowest incidence of cancer, with 1.04 cases reported per 100,000 children.
Mental Health
As a country plagued by war and political instability, mental health issues in Lebanon are on the rise. On top of that, cultural stigma makes many sufferers reluctant to seek professional help.
Suicide is a major public health issue in the country, as one person in Lebanon dies of suicide every 2.5 days. Similarly, one person attempts to commit suicide every 6 hours.
The government has established the ‘’Embrace Lifeline’’ to provide psychological support and crisis intervention for those in need. However, there is a lack of funding and resources allocated to mental health services in the country.
Women’s Health
As mentioned, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Lebanon, affecting mainly women. Lack of awareness, access to screening and treatment, and cultural barriers are some of the major challenges women face regarding breast cancer.
Other women’s health-related issues include menopausal health, reproductive health, and maternal care. While the government has made efforts for improvement, there is still a need for more comprehensive healthcare services catered to women.
Lifestyle Changes to Control Hypertension
While other health issues in Lebanon, such as women’s health and mental health, fall under the government’s responsibility, hypertension is a condition that the individual can manage. Here are some lifestyle changes that can help control hypertension:
Get Regular Physical Activity
There’s sufficient research to show that resistance and aerobic exercises can help lower blood pressure. These exercises are recommended for people with hypertension and prehypertension, which is the precursor to the condition.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), you should get about 2.5 hours of exercise per week. It should be moderate-intensity physical activity, such as:
- Brisk walking
- Dancing
- Swimming
- Cycling
Avoid Refined Food
By ”refined,” we mean processed food high in added sugars and saturated fats. Instead, eat a diet containing fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. Such a dietary approach is known as “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH diet.” It emphasizes:
- More whole grains, fruits, and veggies
- Incorporation of zero-fat dairy products in your diet
- More beans, nuts, poultry, and fish
- Limited consumption of foods with saturated fats
A 2020 study found that obese individuals who followed a low-fat and low-carb diet saw a prominent decrease in their blood pressure. So, you should lay off the sodas and chips and opt for healthier food options.
Manage Your Weight
Obesity strains your heart and can raise blood pressure levels. The ultimate solution is to lose weight. Losing as much as 10 pounds can lower blood pressure.
Quit Smoking
As we discussed earlier, smoking is one of the main reasons for the prevalence of cardiovascular health problems in Lebanon. Giving up smoking can improve your overall health and lower high blood pressure.
Besides affecting the primary smoker, cigarette smoke also affects passive smokers. In fact, a study found that nonsmokers in smoke-free public spaces had lower blood pressure levels than nonsmokers in places where smoking is allowed.
Takeaway
Some health problems in Lebanon are too widespread and complex to be solved by individual efforts. However, when it comes to managing hypertension, small lifestyle changes can make a huge difference.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to build better mental health through meditation, adequate sleep, stress reduction, healthy eating, and exercise. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help when needed.
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