Are Middle East health challenges tending towards Western ones?

Things are changing all across our world. With cheaper and accessible travel, people are migrating faster and further. With these changes come new opportunities for cultural exchange, changes to diet, lifestyle and health.

The Middle East is showing an increasing number of people suffering from traditionally Western conditions such as:

Heart Disease up 44%
Stroke up 35%
Diabetes up 87%

healthy heart, healthy diet — Look after your heart and eat healthily

These diseases have associated lifestyle factors that may have come from Western ex-pats working across the region. These include:

Poor diet
High blood pressure
Smoking
Stress

What does this mean for sexual health?

As we see lifestyles change in the Middle East, most likely from the influx of ex-pats, their diets, culture and way of life. How will this affect changes in sexual health?

Traditionally the Middle East has frowned upon sex outside of marriage, even between dating couples. Extra-marital sex is not allowed and severely punished in some countries. Yet, STIs remain a health concern. This is because no one wants to come forward for testing. There is such a large stigma attached to getting tested that people would rather remain silent.

Unfortunately this silence may cause long term health complications, pain, infertility, some cancers and even death.

Many people in the Middle East whether the are ex pats or local residents are scared about coming forward for testing. They are worried about the impact of a positive result on their job, family and social standing.
Anthea Morris, Better2Know

As Western culture influences the Middle East more, might there be a relaxation on the rules around getting an STI test, to encourage more people to get tested? We certainly hope so. Only by getting tested without fear will people come forward to get the help they need to be well.

If you want a health or sexual health test in the Middle East, then find your nearest clinic here.

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