[PALLIATIVE CARE IN ISRAEL -WHERE ARE WE GOING TO AND FROM WHERE ARE WE COMING?]

The epidemiological transition to non-communicable diseases in the 20th century necessitated the development of new public health approaches to address the problems of the new age. As understanding of the determinants of health became more sophisticated, so did public health practice. Thus, palliative care became an integral component of the health definition. It is an approach which improves quality of life of patients and their families facing chronic serious illness and life-threatening diseases. This is performed through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychological and spiritual. Palliative care is provided without giving up cure or slowing disease progression.