Middle East, North Africa conflicts threaten two decades of health gains - researchBy Magdalena MisLONDON, Aug 24 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The Arab Spring uprising and subsequent conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa have lowered life expectancy in countries such as Syria, Yemen, Tunisia and Egypt, jeopardising two decades of health gains, experts said on Wednesday. "Life expectancy decline is traditionally regarded as a sign that the health and social systems are failing," said Ali Mokdad, a professor at the U.S.-based University of Washington, who led the research. "The fact that this is happening in several countries indicates there is an immediate need to invest in health care systems," he said in a statement. "These issues will result in deteriorating health conditions in many countries for many years and will put a strain on already scarce resources." Syria is falling behind countries sub-Saharan Africa in reducing child mortality, with infant deaths rising by 9.1 percent a year between 2010 and 2013.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 24, 2016 22:30 UTC