RESEARCH PROJECTS

Research Committee

Research Agenda

The Arab region is undergoing dramatic demographic shifts with obvious health consequences. It is a region characterized by extreme demographic polarization. In many countries, like Lebanon, Morocco, and Jordan, fertility and mortality have declined rapidly. The populations are aging, owing to a drop in mortality at older ages, and also include large numbers of adolescents, owing to high fertility levels in the recent past.

In addition, these countries are experiencing rapid urbanization, increased educational attainment, transformations of the family, and new forms of economic hardship. There is a rise in chronic diseases and health risk behaviors, and an increase in the utilization of health services. Such changes have profound consequences for the health and well being of individuals and families.

In stark contrast, some countries such as Yemen and Sudan are largely rural, with low educational levels and relatively high mortality and fertility. Here, population growth is contributing to endemic poverty and ill-health.

These transitions and realities provide the context for FHS researchers, who are working to better understand the health consequences of population change in the region. Interdisciplinary research teams are organized to work on various dimensions of health, informed by population, public health, sociological, and epidemiological perspectives.

Presently the CRPH research program aims to explore, in an urban setting, the demographic factors, social conditions, and economic circumstances influencing various dimensions of health, with a focus on:

The center is currently concerned with the following dimensions of health, which form the broad interests of the center's affiliates:

Another research theme presently under development focuses on the Choices and Challenges in Changing Childbirth (CCCC) in the Arab region.   The CCCC research program is a regional network cumulating evidence concerning childbirth practices in the Middle East region.  Specific studies in the four participating countries to date – Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt – have identified problems in the quality of maternity services and the lack of women’s involvement in the decision making process over the provision of care.  With funding from the Wellcome Trust (UK), the research program aims to identify elements of care which are amenable for improvement and develop interventions whose effectiveness can be rigorously measured.

Relevance to public policy is emphasized throughout the research conducted by the CRPH.  Findings are disseminated through different methods including brochures, newsletters, workshops and meetings.

Established in 2001 and based in the CRPH, the Choices and Challenges in Changing Childbirth (CCCC) is a research program consisting of a regional network of researchers in Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria.  It produces scientific evidence documenting childbirth-related health care practices while identifying areas amenable for change in the Middle East region.  Funded by the Wellcome Trust, the CCCC ultimately aims to render maternity care safer for women and their newborns.  Researchers involved in the network collaborate with policymakers, professional associations, health care providers and women’s groups.

Click here for the CCCC Website