User:Mazinalhashim

Health trend in Jordan over the last decades. 

Jordan is a Middle Eastern Arabic country covering an area of 89,342 km with a total population of 11.517.887 inhabitants.[1] Jordan is considered a low-middle-income country with a gross domestic product (GDP) of 48.65B USD/year and a GDP per Capita of 4.255.00 USD/year.[2] In addition, Jordan hosts the second-highest share of refugees per capita worldwide [3]

The Jordanian healthcare system has evolved over the past decades transforming into a generally well-developed service despite being in an area of constant conflicts and volatility, particularly in neighbouring countries, such as Palestine, Syria, and Iraq.

During the last three decades, the health status of the Jordanian population has significantly improved. For example, since 1990, life expectancy has increased from 69.85 to currently 77 years for males and 78.8 years for females.[4] Infant mortality has decreased from 32.0 to 12.8 per 1,000 live births in 2024(6). In addition, Jordan has become a popular destination for medical tourism in the region.

Health challenges and indicators. 

The population is going to grow dramatically over the next years, when it comes to comparison Jordan population was about 3.7 million in 1990, this number was tripled over the next 20 years, and the figures are expected to rise to 21 million in 2100.[5]

fertility rate was about 5.3 in 1990, it was relatively higher than the regional and the global average at that time, however, this trend has changed drastically from 1990 to 2021 to 2.3 only.[6]

out of pocket spending represented a big portion when it comes to health expenditures, almost 107 dollars were used for that, while around 98 dollars only was paid by the government. this shows how much the government have struggles financially trying to keep up with this issue in 2021.[7]on the other hand, Jordan still providing an effective and essential health services mainly across the urban areas, their UHC was estimated by 76 percent in 2018. EMRO

Maternal and neonatal death cases were the first cause of DALYs in 1990, rate of deaths has decreased significantly by almost 79 percent over the past 30 years, however, respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis have increased remarkably by around 89 percent, mental diseases have showed a significant increase by almost 21 percent over the same period of time. Non communicable disease such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer has a strong impact on health in general, it is still playing a fatal role when it comes to DALYs, it is connected to a changed lifestyle that took a place over last decades such as smoking, low daily activities, and unhealthy food consumption.[8]

this gives a picture on how diseases trend has evolved and changed over time based on an environmental, Behavorial and metabolic challenges.[9]

conclusion

Life expectancy and annual GDP comparison

Life expectancy in Jordan has increased substantially. In 1970, the average life expectancy was approximately 60 years. By 2020, it had risen to around 74 years for men and 76 years for women, reflecting advancements in healthcare and living standards, also the infant mortality rate has decreased significantly from about 60 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1970 to around 14 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years. This improvement is attributed to better maternal and child healthcare services. However, The Jordanian health system is divided into public and private sectors and United Nations refugee services. Jordan needs the effective support of the international community to cover the health needs of the Syrian and Palestinian refugees. The country also needs to address significant social health problems, such as the prevalence of smoking, and obesity.[10]

potential future impact of climate change on health. 

Climate change is poised to have profound effects on global health, presenting both direct and indirect challenges. As the climate warms, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, storms, and floods are increasing. These changes can lead to a range of health problems, from heat-related illnesses to injuries and deaths caused by natural disasters.

1. Heat-Related Health Effects: Rising temperatures can exacerbate heat-related illnesses. Extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and exacerbate chronic conditions like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with preexisting health conditions, face heightened risks.[11]

2. Spread of Vector-Borne Diseases: Warmer temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns can expand the habitats of vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks, leading to an increased incidence of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease in regions where these diseases were previously rare.[12]

3. Air Quality and Respiratory Health: Climate change can worsen air quality by increasing the concentration of ground-level ozone and particulate matter. This deterioration in air quality can aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leading to increased hospital admissions and premature deaths.[13]

4. Water and Food Security: Changes in climate affect water availability and quality, potentially leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Additionally, disruptions in agricultural productivity can lead to food insecurity and malnutrition, further impacting health.[14]

5. Mental Health Impacts: Extreme weather events and the stress associated with climate-related disasters can have serious mental health consequences. Individuals affected by climate-induced trauma may experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[15]

6. Displacement and Health Risks: Climate-induced displacement can lead to overcrowded living conditions and inadequate access to healthcare, increasing the risk of disease spread and worsening overall health outcomes.[16]