Research

We are evaluating the effects of patient-directed goal selection on heart-healthy lifestyle behaviors in women who have experienced a cardiac event or have three or more risk factors for heart disease. 

Knowing what to do and actually doing it are not the same thing. We are exploring the effects of group-based coaching to help women confront and overcome internal barriers that block behavior change. 

Women who develop gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension or who deliver prematurely are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. We are conducting surveys and interviews and designing interventions. 

Sustainable behavior changes, including long-term weight loss, depends heavily upon self-regulation. However, most approved lifestyle programs focus exclusively on behavioral self-regulation. We are comparing the effects of a group-based health program we developed to address the emotional aspects  with standard lifestyle interventions.

The beginning of marriage is a critical period for ultra-Orthodox women to develop healthy habits. This population group involves a high level of poverty, large families, and limited time for women to engage in self-care. We are developing a culturally-specific and religiously-approved handbook for kallah teachers to distribute, which teaches lifelong skills and motivation for healthy living.

Ultra-Orthodox women are less likely to engage in exercise, receive regular blood pressure checks and are more likely to be overweight or obese. Partners in health (Chevruta L’Chaim) provides these women with the knowledge, motivation, and skills to engage in a heart-healthy lifestyle while attending to their cultural and religious sensitivities. 

Mortality from heart disease is 60% higher in Arab women (in comparison to Jewish women in Israel). Poor health outcomes among Arab women can be traced to a variety of causes. Resilience training can empower women with the skills to take control of their lives and implement change in their communities.

Arab women in East Jerusalem are greater risk of heart disease but often lack the tools to effectively apply health information and care in their lives. We train women to become community leaders by empowering them to implement health related programs. 

Many women face challenges with managing the doctor-patient visit and navigating the health care system. We educate women on how to maximize health care interactions and educate them about their patient rights and effective self-advocacy. 

Heart-healthy eating requires food literacy to make healthy food choices in different contexts, settings and situations. We use gamification techniques in a train the trainers program for community leaders. Developed for the general Israeli community, the program has been culturally adapted for the ultra-Orthodox and Arab population. 

We promote health in the workplace by training middle managers in business and government to serve as health ambassadors and revolutionize health in their workplace by changing organizational culture and introducing effective health promotion activities