Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
ENSURE HEALTHY LIVES AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING FOR ALL AT ALL AGES
Research
Brain and Behavior Hub
Haifa Brain and Behavior Hub, led by Prof. Simone G. Shamay-Tsoory has assembled 50 interdisciplinary researchers to conduct groundbreaking multidisciplinary brain and behavior research. The hub offers an array of opportunities for undergraduate, MA, doctoral, and postdoctoral studies, scientific discussion and exchange. Competitive scholarships based on excellence are available. Furthermore, the new partnership with Rambam Health Care Campus to establish the FMRI Center for Functional Brain Imaging Studies will allow researchers to access technological infrastructure and imaging devices.
Efficacy of the BNT162b2 Booster
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Clinical Infectious Disease, and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dr. Lital Keinan-Boker’s work with a national research team estimated efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 Vaccine Booster against SARS-CoV-2 Infection, resulting incidence of myocarditis, and the dynamics of reopening schools. Her research significantly contributed to science and policy formation regarding COVID-19.
Genetics and Epigenetics of Aging and Longevity
Recent work published in Nature by a team of researchers including Prof. Gil Atzmon of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Director of The Laboratory of Genetics and Epigenetics of Aging and Longevity provides genetic structural variation references and improves ability to interpret rare variants. The lab’s novel analyses using of genetics, genomics, epigenomic and bioinformatics tools enhances our understanding of the role of genetics/genomics and epigenetics/epigenomics in disease, aging, and longevity.
Public Engagement
Global Guide for Hearing Impairment Interventions
Dr. Limor Lavie is a member of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her involvement with the World Health Organization directed Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation Program led to the development of a set of systematic interventions for the hearing impaired that focuses on low and middle income countries and enables clients to plan, budget, and integrate the interventions across an array of service delivery platforms.
Protecting Medical Secrecy
Patient’s personal information is compromised when medical professionals use public communication apps (such as Whatsapp) that bypass official EMR (Electronic Medical Records) channels. To preserve the medical secrecy of patients, the Legal Clinics for Social Change appealed to the Israel Ministry of Health who requested the clinics propose alternative solutions, which were subsequently submitted in consultation with national health and communications experts.
Learning and Students
Adaptation of IMR for Arab Israeli Society
Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) is an evidence-based practice designed to grant mental health consumers the knowledge and skills necessary to cope with their illness while also maintaining and achieving goals in their recovery. Among the achievements of Prof. David Roe of the Department of Community Mental Health, is a culturally sensitive IMR version intended for Israeli Arabs with serious mental illness. Department students study IMR in an intensive 9-month course that includes both theory and field practice.
Early at-home ADHD Intervention
In the Lab for Complex Human Activity and Participation, doctoral candidate Carmit Frisch, worked with Prof. Sarah Rosenbloom to develop an ADHD diagnostic tool for early intervention with toddlers. Working with parents to develop standardized testing protocols and methods of analysis that overcome numerous functional hurdles, she developed a set of protocols that enable practitioners and parents to jointly build early at-home interventions.
Operations
New Campus Loop Trail
Students and staff enjoy the remarkable views as they walk and bike along the new UoH loop trail that spans the 5.2 km campus perimeter, offering new opportunities to stay in shape on campus.
