Israel Ministry of Health

About: Israel Ministry of Health is a government organization based out in Jerusalem, Israel. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 1633 authors who have published 2108 publications receiving 65387 citations.

Excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, March-November 2020: when, where, and for whom?

Abstract: Excess all-cause mortality has been used in many countries as an estimate of mortality effects from COVID-19. What was the excess mortality in Israel in 2020 and when, where and for whom was this excess? Mortality rates between March to November 2020 for various demographic groups, cities, month and week were compared with the average rate during 2017–2019 for the same groups or periods. Total mortality rates for March–November were significantly higher by 6% in 2020, than the average of 2017–2019, 14% higher among the Arab population and 5% among Jews and Others. Significantly higher monthly mortality rates were found in August, September and October by 11%, 13% and 19%, respectively, among Jews and Others, and by 19%, 64% and 40% in the Arab population. Excess mortality was significant only at older ages, 7% higher rates at ages 65–74 and 75–84 and 8% at ages 85 and above, and greater for males than females in all ages and population groups. Interestingly, mortality rates decreased significantly among the younger population aged under 25. The cities with most significant excess mortality were Ramla (25% higher), Bene Beraq (24%), Bat Yam (15%) and Jerusalem (8%). Israel has seen significant excess mortality in August–October 2020, particularly in the Arab sector. The excess mortality in March–November was statistically significant only at older ages, over 65. It is very important to protect this susceptible population from exposure and prioritize them for inoculations. Lockdowns were successful in lowering the excess mortality. The excess mortality is similar to official data on COVID-19 deaths.

Carbon monoxide poisoning in Jerusalem: epidemiology and risk factors

Abstract: Objectives. To describe the epidemiology of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in Jerusalem and identify risk factors for such poisoning. Design. A retrospective descriptive analysis of patients with CO poisoning who presented to the Hadassah hospitals in Jerusalem from 1994 to 2006. Patients. All patients with suspected CO poisoning were examined and those with confirmed cases [carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level >5%] were included. Sources of exposure, seasonal variation, and demographic characteristics were analyzed. Results. There were 292 patients (49% males) with 40 family clusters that accounted for 149 patients (51%); 230 patients (79%) presented during the winter months. All but one had unintentional CO intoxication. The main sources of exposure were faulty gas heaters (n = 135), fire (n = 102), and other residential heating systems (n = 40). The estimated annual incidence of CO poisoning decreased from 6.45 per 100,000 in 1994–2000 to 3.53 per 100,000 in 2001–2006. High-risk intoxication (COHb level >25%...

Malnutrition in Surgical Wards: A Plea for Concern

Abstract: Background Malnutrition in hospitalized patients is underdiagnosed, with 30 to 60% of patients admitted being malnourished The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional status of patients in a general surgery ward and to define the correlation between the risk of malnutrition and the hospital course and clinical outcome Study design The study group included 100 consecutive patients admitted to a general surgery ward who were ambulant and could undergo the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) Results Thirty-two patients (33%) had aMUST score of 2 or higher, and were therefore defined at high-malnutrition risk The patients at risk had longer hospitalization and worse outcome The length of stay of the malnourished patients was significantly longer than that of patients without malnutrition risk (188 ± 115 vs 7 ± 53 days, 𝑃 = 0 0 3 ) Mortality in the high-risk group was higher overall, in hospital, and after six months and one year of followup Conclusions Medical personnel must be aware that malnutrition afflicts even patients whose background is not suggestive of malnutrition Best results are achieved when cooperation of all staff members is enlisted, because malnutrition has severe consequences and can be treated easily