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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Michael Gdalevich¹, Michael Huerta, MD, MPH², Alex Leventhal, MD, MPH, MPA³, Yael Arbeli, RN, MHA², and Shimon Scharf². (1) Tel Aviv University; Sackler Medical School, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon District Health Office, Ashkelon, 78306, Israel, 972-8-6745006, michael_g@barzi.health.gov.il, (2) Ben Gurion University - Barzilai Medical Center Campus, Ashkelon District Health Office, Ashkelon, 78306, Israel, (3) Director, Public Health Services, Israel Ministry of Health, King David 20, Jerusalem, Israel

In February, 2005, the Israeli parliament ratified a government bill to withdraw all military and civilian assets from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria. This action, widely referred to as "the disengagement", was implemented during August 2005. An integral part of this plan included forced relocation of some 8,000 civilians from their communities in Gaza to temporary sites elsewhere in Israel, and the dismantling of their homes. The main goal of the public health sector was to minimize the array of biopsychosocial problems experienced by internally displaced persons (IDPs), before, during and after the disengagement. Within the classical epidemiological triad of host-agent-environment, displacement exposes IDPs to new hazard dynamics. These new hazards are compounded by additional risk factors due to a loss of employment, assets and entitlements, as well as a loss of social support networks and caring capacities. Profound health effects are therefore expected, especially among those in the vulnerable strata of society: the young, the sick and the elderly. Some of the expected health effects comprise diverse types of somatic or psychiatric morbidity, including aggravation of existing medical conditions and PTSD-like reactions. Prevention-oriented assessment of the health needs of IDPs preceded the disengagement. Multi-sectorial societal involvement continued during and after the process. These efforts, supplemented by health effects research, aim to develop knowledge and capabilities towards similar events in the future.The objective of this presentation is to describe IDP exposure to risk factors and the public health responses aimed at ameliorating the associated negative heath effects.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session the attendee will be able to

• Describe the public health challenges evolving from the Israeli disengagement from Gaza
• Identify the spectrum of health-associated problems encountered by internally displaced persons
• Evaluate the steps taken by the Israeli public health sector before, during, and after the disengagement

Keywords: Public Health Service, Public Health Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No