Negev Bedouin settlements are characterized by inadequate infrastructure, and the population exhibits poor health outcomes across all measured indicators. Although integration of Bedouin citizens of Israel into the national labor market is challenging, their incorporation into the healthcare system is extensive. This study aims to explore the barriers and motivating factors that Bedouin physicians encounter in advancing public health within Bedouin communities in southern Israel, and to investigate how these physicians perceive the concept of leadership in the context of public health. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Bedouin physicians from the Negev Bedouin community, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The majority of participants identified themselves as leaders responsible for improving public health within their communities. They emphasized the importance of health leadership in Negev Bedouin society and expressed a strong commitment to driving internal community change. All participants reported adapting to a different lifestyle and higher living standards, which made returning to their communities challenging. Trust in the healthcare system was identified as a crucial determinant for the effectiveness of health promotion initiatives. However, participants also highlighted growing general mistrust in government institutions, which contributes to skepticism toward the healthcare system itself. Time constraints and heavy workloads were reported as obstacles to practicing leadership. Participants also described how socioeconomic conditions, living standards, and deficiencies in infrastructure, education, and training negatively influence health outcomes and limit collaboration opportunities. This study offers a distinctive insight into the perspectives of Bedouin physicians in the Negev on their engagement in grassroots leadership to reduce health disparities within their community.
