Grants and Fellowships | 2014

58 Doctoral Fellowships Pregnancy is a complex process that involves biological and environmental risk factors which may lead to undesirable outcomes. The scientific literature offers various reports on the incidence of spontaneous abortion (SA)/early fetal loss (EFL). Though there is evidence of the involvement of environmental risk factors in normal pregnancies, a connection is yet to be proven. The unique fertility patterns in the Negev area, the presence of the Ramat Hovav Industrial Park, and real- time air quality monitoring enable the study of a potential link between exposure to various air pollutants and environmental factors and SA/EFL among pregnant Negev residents. In order to assess the various risk factors that may affect SA or EFL among Negev residents, we carried out a case-control study at Soroka Medical Center among Jewish and Bedouin women whose verifiable pregnancy had terminated due to SA or EFL prior to the 22nd week of pregnancy. Those women were matched with a control group, which advanced past the 22nd week of gestation, based on ethnic origin and age. Personal exposure to various risk factors was evaluated by subject's place of residence, personal interviews and medical records. Fellow Riki Krispel-Ochayon Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Supervisors Ilana Shoham-Vardi and Michael Friger 2009-2012 Early Fetal Loss: The Association between Air Pollution and other Major Risk Factors and Spontaneous Abortions in Southern Israel Multicultural Public Participation in Health Impact Assessment Health impact assessment (HIA) was developed to systematically review plans, projects and policies and recommend alternatives which maximize health gains and minimize health inequalities. HIA includes stakeholder participation, in order to democratize decision-making and utilize knowledge, values and priorities of diverse populations. However, such participation is challenging and complex. The research aim was to suggest a model for multicultural stakeholder participation. As part of the research, stakeholder participation was included in the Beer Sheva metropolitan plan, focusing on land-uses in the vicinity of Ramat Hovav. A steering committee was established, and meetings, focus groups, interviews and observations conducted. The data were analyzed using qualitative methods. The research presents the manifestations of the multiplicity of sectors in HIA, and the challenges raised regarding knowledge, language and risk perception. In addition, the relationships between technical and local knowledge are explored. The research shows that technical knowledge may be disputable, uncertain and based on assumptions while local knowledge includes objective and systematic methods. Finally, a model for multicultural stakeholder participation in HIA is presented. Research publications (1) Negev, M. (2012). Knowledge, data and interests: Challenges in participation of diverse stakeholders in HIA. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 33 , 48-54. (2) Negev, M., Levine, H., Davidovitch, N., Bhatia, R., & Mindell, J. (2012). Integration of health and environment through health impact assessment: Cases from three continents . Environmental Research, 114 , 60-67. (3) Negev, M., Davidovitch, N., Garb, Y., & Tal, A. (2013). Stakeholder participation in health impact assessment: A multicultural approach. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 43 , 112-120. (4) Negev, M., & Teschner, N. (2013). Rethinking the relationship between technical and local knowledge: towards a multi-type approach. Environmental Science and Policy, 30 , 50-59. Fellow Maya Negev Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Supervisors Alon Tal, Yaakov Garb and Nadav Davidovitch 2008-2011