Residents of Israel’s periphery have poorer access to public resources—including education, transportation, and healthcare—than residents of its central regions. As a result of inadequate medical care, these citizens experience lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality rates, and far lower doctor-to-patient ratios. The cycle of disadvantage continues as those with greatest need have the least access to quality care. This thorough article from the Israeli Medical Association outlines the statistics as well as the socio-economic factors that contribute to the gap.