Bielefeld School of Public Health

Abstract to "Using Big Data to Evaluate the Impacts of Conflict-Related Internal Displacement on Birth Rates and on Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health" (Stav Shapira - 28.11.2024)

The ongoing conflict in Israel presents a unique opportunity to examine the effects of conflict-induced mass internal displacement on maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) in a high-income country (HIC) with universal health coverage (UHC)—an area of research predominantly focused on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As millions face displacement worldwide, Israel's distinctive combination of factors—a HIC with UHC, high birth rates, advanced data collection systems, and "acute-on-chronic" conflicts—provides an unparalleled context for exploring the complex interplay between conflict, displacement, and MNCH. This study leverages high-quality, centralized data from two national registries—child deliveries and Mother and Child Clinics—spanning pre- and post-displacement periods across multiple communities. The research aims to investigate the health impacts of conflict-related displacement on MNCH, focusing on birth rates, perinatal outcomes, postpartum maternal depression, and child growth and development. Preliminary findings will be presented, and policy recommendations for improving MNCH in conflict settings will be discussed.