Health in Iran

[2] In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves 98.8% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income.

[5] As the water crisis deepens with an expanding population, this pollution of groundwater causes increasing health risks.

[6] Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad, Sistan-Baluchistan, Hormozgan, Kerman and Khuzestan as provinces that face malnutrition or food insecurity.

Increased awareness with regards to the damages of carbonated drinks and sugar, and high levels of diabetes has created a move towards healthier products.

In 2005, an average Iranian citizen consumed 42 liters of soda per year, as well as 40% more carbohydrates, 30% more fat, and 40% more food than the body needs.

Many families with a moderate income are limited in the foods they are able to afford, resulting in a higher incidence of obese children.

[12] As an additional measure of public health and inefficient food distribution, about thirteen percent of the young people are classified as obese, according to the United Nations FAO sources.

In the 2005 epidemic which involved loss of lives, state television warned people not to eat vegetables or buy ice blocks on the streets.

Iran has established a national HIV treatment system, including 150 testing sites and a free needle exchange program.

Iran is situated along one of the main trafficking routes for cannabis, heroin, opium and morphine produced in Afghanistan, and designer drugs have also found their way into the local market in recent years.

[26] Iran spent over 600 million dollars in just the last two years to dig canals, build barriers and install barbed wire to seal off the country's crime-infested borders.

[31] According to the new law, smoking is prohibited in all public organizations, hotels, restaurants, tea houses and coffee shops.

[36] Around 2.7bn cigarettes are smuggled into Iran annually, according to officials from the state-owned Iranian Tobacco Company (ITC), on top of another 26.7bn which are imported legally (2008).

[38] The prevalence of respiratory diseases and cancers in Iran is increasing at a significant rate, also because of air pollution in Tehran.

[40] The World Bank estimates losses inflicted on Iran's economy as a result of deaths caused by air pollution at $640 million, which is equal to 5.1 trillion rials or 0.57 percent of GDP.

Prohibited in Iran because of the Islamic law, except for non-Muslims who can legally consume alcoholic beverages in private.

[45] Reports by the UN show birth control policies in Iran to be effective with the country topping the list of greatest fertility decreases.

Authorities are now slashing its birth-control programs in an attempt to avoid an aging demographic similar to many Western countries that are struggling to keep up with state medical and social security costs.

[50] According to Ministry of Health and Medical Education, in 2003, 41% of total deaths were due to diseases of the circulatory system.

[51] Addiction is the fourth major cause of death in Iran following road accidents, heart disease and depression.

[54] According to Iran's parliamentary committee on health and treatment in 2015, 12 million Iranians suffer from mental illnesses (mostly stemming from economic reasons).

[55] According to the ministry of health, mental issues among women is a major problem and it is the second cause of death and disabilities among men.

[55] Similar to other countries, health of Iranian women plays a crucial role in well-being and economic growth of their society.

According to National Surveillance of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases in Iran (SuRFNCD -2007), 35% of the Iranian population of which 46% are women had a sedentary life style.

The main cause of maternal mortality among Iranian women is obstetric hemorrhage (30.7%) followed by hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (17%).

Child marriage in Iran is mainly driven by gender inequality, religion, poverty and traditional costume.

In line with target 5.3 of Sustainable Development Goals, Iran has made a commitment to eliminate child marriage by 2030.