Diabetes in the Bedouin population in the Israeli Negev - An update 2017

The Bedouins are an Arab population living in Israel severely impacted by diabetes and obesity. The aim of this research was to update the prevalence of diabetes among Bedouins in the Negev and to observe differences in this population in comparison with non-Bedouins in Israel.

A cross-sectional study was performed using the Clalit Health Services database. Diabetes prevalence among Bedouins was compared with non-Arabs and non-Bedouin Arabs in Israel. Differences in sexes and among Bedouins living in planned cities and unrecognized villages were observed.

The age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes was 12.3% in the Bedouin population versus 8.2% in the non-Arab population in southern Israel (p < 0.0001). Diabetes prevalence among Bedouins and all Arabs in Israel was similar (12.0%). In all of Israel, age-adjusted diabetes prevalence was 8.8% for men and 7.5% in women (p < 0.0001) compared to 12.0% for men and 12.5% for women in the Bedouin population (p = 0.0008). In the Bedouin population in planned cities, age-adjusted diabetes prevalence was 12.5% versus 10.5% in the Bedouin population in unrecognized villages (p < 0.0001).

This study shows that the prevalence of diabetes among Bedouins is higher than non-Bedouins in Israel. Increasing urbanization of the Bedouin population with their higher diabetes prevalence indicates the need for increased medical intervention as well as continuing investigation into the causes.