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Division of Community Health
Division of Community Health
Family Medicine Mobile

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Unit

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"Health" is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as: A state of complete physical social and mental well being, and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity.

"Health Promotion" is defined by the WHO as: The process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health.

In practice, this process involves: Any combination of health education (methods for health behavior changes), + environmental change (creating an environment that is conducive to health), + change in health policy (by any policy makers and not only health services), + empowerment (and participation) of the community in improving it's health.

Our Vision

  1. To develop and strengthen educational programs in Health Promotion.
  2. To initiate, plan, execute and evaluate models of health promotion activities at the community level.
  3. To advocate and support health promotion activities in the Negev district.
  4. ​To promote health and minimize the health gaps between the people of the Negev district and the rest of Israel and between the different population within the Negev itself.

Research at the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Unit

We collected data on the health status of the Negev population. We found that:

  1. The Negev district has the highest overall mortality rate in Israel (among Jews and non Jews); Infant mortality rate is the highest in Israel; and lung cancer mortality rate among men is the highest in Israel.
  2. Behavioral risk factors for chronic diseases, such as a unhealthy diet and smoking, are the highest in Israel. The rate of car accidents is also the highest in Israel.
  3. Indirect risk factors, such as low socio-economic status, single-parenthood, new immigration, violence, and more are prevalent in the Negev.

A comparison between pre and post-intervention periods indicat​ed, significant positive changes in health behaviors, a reduction in Body Mass Index and reduction in smoking rates. The results also demonstrated changes in health policy and positive environmental changes.

A comparison between pre- and post-intervention periods indicated, significant positive changes in health-related knowledge and behaviors among Bedouin women and pronounced changes in the dietary habits of toddlers in Rahat. Women also reported that they began to exercise by joining the newly formed women walking groups. The intervention also resulted in a rising demand for healthier food.

A post-intervention evaluation, indicated that approximately 80% of Beer-Sheba residents, were exposed to the health messages presented in the media and 15% reported a positive change in their diet.

Health Promotion At Work
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Workplace Health
One of the project's objectives ​was to implement health promotion programs in multiple work settings in the Negev, starting with large factories. The project receives support from the Ministry of Health and from local health services. The specific program began with key note lectures on the main current causes of mortality and disability in the Negev district, emphasizing the great need for the prevention of chronic diseases and promotion of health by cultivating a healthy life style and by changing local health policy and the local work environment. These health messages were reinforced through health education as well as advocating health promotion issues to local administration and the management. Then, every employee had a personal appointment with a public health physician and a dietician in order to discuss his or her family and personal health risks and the need for practical life style changes. We also recommended some important changes in the management's health policy and some changes in the physical environment. Specifically, the management agreed to implement a no-smoking policy in all locations, including open spaces, excluding special smoking booths, located across the factory. The management also agreed to include more vegetables and less saturated fats on the menu of the local cafeteria. Finall​y, we formed special support groups to encourage the cessation of smoking and the promotion of healthy dietary habits. Since the beginning of our intervention n approximately 40 employees have stopped smoking and 60 have lost weight.
Healthy Diet Campaign
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Healthy Diet Campaign
Research data shows that the Negev residents consume more fats, white bread and calories. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Unit of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, developed a special campaign for healthier nutrition in the Negev. The campaign involved distributing healthy messages through the local radio station, bill boards, posters and pamphlets and in entertainment shows in big shopping centers. The campaign's main objectives were to decrease the consumption of fats and to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetable. The campaign reached 41% of Beer-Sheba residents. As a result of the campaign, 22% of those who were exposed to it, reported that they intended to change some of their dietary habits in accordance with the campaign messages, 10% reported that they actually changed their dietary habits and 50% requested more information about healthy nutrition.​
Health Promotion At School
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School Health Promotion
The Unit of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, in collaboration with the local authority, the Ministry of Education and local health services, is planning a health promotion program in all Beer-Sheba schools, including the implementation of a health education curriculum for 1st to -6th grades, organizing health fairs and planting of trees for healthier environment. In addition we completed a 56-hours course for Bedouin school teachers in the rural areas of the Negev, near Arad.
Smoking Prevention And Cessassion
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Smoking Prevention
Our main goal – Life quality improvement of the Negev population by reducing the mortality and sickness caused by smoking.
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