Haifa, Israel
April 1993
Dear Madam/Sir
re: Health Studies in Russian Immigrants to Israel
- A call for donors
The Department of Community Medicine and Epidemiology of Kupat Holim is
responsible for collecting all health data relevant for the proper
absorption in Israel of hundreds of thousands of new immigrants from the
former USSR.
For this purpose the Department is assessing health status, health behavior
and health services utilization among the immigrant population. The following
activities are currently underway:
1.A mail-in survey on disease prevalence and clinic visits on a national
sample
2.An interview - based survey of health status, behavior and service
utilization on a sample of immigrants residing in the town of Nazareth-Ilit.
3.Registration and follow-up of immigrants from "exposed areas" of the
Chernobyl accident.
4.A study of the immunization status of the Russian immigrants, using blood
samples.
5.A controlled study of the usage of contraceptive methods by the new
immigrants
6.A study of attitudes and use of medications.
The investigation of these as well as other issues and the implementation of
intervention programs based on their results is of utmost importance. There
are marked differences between the health systems in the former Russian
republics and the Israeli health system, and also a large difference in
mortality patterns and life expectancy between the two countries. For
example, mortality of heart diseases is much higher in the Russians than in
Israel, as is mortality from lung cancer. We believe that with proper
intervention we will be able to improve the health of these immigrants.
We are therefore issuing this call for donors to enable us to carry out the
described activities and to extend our work in this field.
The expected budget necessary for these and future studies is about $100,000.
The Chernobyl study (no. 3 in the list) needs a budget of about $150,000.
All donations will be welcomed. Donations are tax deductible and will be
received through Medical Development for Israel Inc., 130 East 59th Street,
Suite 1203, WY, NY (contact Mr. Alfred Mekler, Tel (212)759-3370).
Donors should specify that their contributions are earmarked for the Dept. of
Community Medicine and Epidemiology in Carmel Hospital.
I urge you to join in this effort and take part in the successful absorption of
the largest wave of immigrants this country has experienced in the last
forty years.
I will be happy to answer any questions and provide additional information.
Tel: 972-4-250474,
Fax: 972-4-344358,
Email: ierva01 at techunix.technion.ac.il.bitnet
Sincerely yours,
Gad Rennert,
M.D., Ph.D., Chairman
