Abstract
Israel has a population of 9 million people, with an estimated 120 to 150 people diagnosed each year and around 600 people living with ALS. There is no population-based national ALS registry, but the Israel ALS Research association (IsrALS) manages its own database. There are two major ALS clinics operating within academic institutions in Israel; however, full multidisciplinary care in a single center is not available locally for most patients. Most patients stay at home at all stages of the disease, even on home ventilation, with many employing one or more foreign care workers. Religious and cultural issues unique to Israel are critical factors which have shaped public policy for end-of-life care. Palliative sedation and withholding of mechanical ventilation are legal in Israel; however, any form of active euthanasia or assisted suicide is illegal. The IsrALS was established in 2004 and has dramatically improved public perception, government policy and funding of clinical and research care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Public Policy in ALS/MND Care |
| Subtitle of host publication | An International Perspective |
| Publisher | Springer Singapore |
| Pages | 149-162 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9789811558405 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789811558399 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2020 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021, corrected publication 2021.
Keywords
- ALS
- Assistive technology
- Invasive ventilation
- Israel
- IsrALS
- Judaism
