Latest developments from HERA-ME and our environmental health initiatives
HERA-ME researchers presented groundbreaking research on air pollution and systemic health outcomes at the 1st Climate Change and Health in Arab Region (CCHAR) conference held in Amman, July 5-9, 2025. Dr. Myriam Mrad co-chaired a session on air pollution impacts across the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Key Presentations: Air pollution epidemiology, climate adaptation in healthcare, and environmental justice in vulnerable communities.
HERA-ME contributed to the 10th International Conference on Ethics in MENA (ICE-MENA) held in Amman. Our team presented ethical frameworks for conducting environmental health research in conflict-affected regions and discussed community-centered approaches to health interventions.
HERA-ME successfully hosted a national expert consultation to establish a Climate-Related Disease Registry in Lebanon. The initiative brings together representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, IOM, WHO, and the Ministry of Environment to create a surveillance system for tracking climate-related health impacts.
Objective: Monitor and respond to health conditions exacerbated by climate change and environmental hazards across Lebanon.
HERA-ME successfully launched "Environmental Health Capacity and Awareness Strengthening in Primary Healthcare Facilities," a major 4-month initiative supported by IOM and USAID. The project works in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health and Seed Global Health.
Focus Areas: Training healthcare workers on environmental health threats, building institutional capacity, and raising community awareness about environmental hazards and health protection.
HERA-ME leads the Lebanon component of the Multi-Donor Multi-Purpose Trust Fund (MMPTF) Climate Change and Migration Program, a 24-month initiative spanning Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon (April 2024 - 2026).
Partners: IOM, WHO, UNDRR, and Ministry of Public Health. Focus on understanding climate-migration linkages and building health system resilience in the region.
HERA-ME published two major narrative reviews in the International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine examining the influence of environmental and chemical exposures on fertility in the Eastern Mediterranean region, and the role of diet and food supplements in infertility management.
These publications contribute to the growing evidence base on how environmental factors affect reproductive health and provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.
The EELI (Environmental Exposures for Lebanese Infants) study published findings on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure in Lebanese newborns through cord blood analysis. This groundbreaking research is the first comprehensive assessment of PCB contamination in Lebanese infants.
Significance: Provides critical data on early-life environmental chemical exposures and potential neurodevelopmental impacts.
HERA-ME released research on war-related PM2.5 pollution impacts on public health in Lebanon during 2024. The study documents the immediate and long-term health consequences of elevated particulate matter levels resulting from conflict.
Key Findings: Significant increases in respiratory symptoms, particularly among children and elderly populations in affected areas.
Monthly seminars featuring our researchers and guest speakers discussing cutting-edge environmental health topics. Open to healthcare professionals, researchers, and community members.
Contact us for seminar dates and topics.
Ongoing capacity-building workshops for healthcare workers and professionals on recognizing and managing environmental health threats.
Contact us to register for upcoming sessions.
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