Looking for partners for the HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-PARTICIPATION-03 call

SPHERE (The Social and Precision-Medicine Health Equity Research Endeavor) is a first of its kind, cross-sector effort led by the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar Ilan University in Israel.  

SPHERE addresses the health inequities related to diabetes and obesity in Israel’s northern periphery, which suffers from a disproportionate number of pre-diabetic and diabetic patients compared to the center of the country. Together with partners, including the HMOs, government ministries, NGOs and others, SPHERE intervenes to mitigate factors that influence diabetes onset and management - such as culture, education, economic status, pharmaco-equity, and more.

As part of this effort, SPHERE has developed a new model to improve health and well-being in socio-economic peripheries. This model, which includes “urban planning for health” is currently being trialled in ~30 cities across the Galilee. These cities are home to highly diverse populations.  

One key element of SPHERE’s work is to research how to make the physical environment of the SPHERE cities healthier. This includes amongst others:

1.       Data-driven Identification of those areas/plots in the city which are still available and/or could be used for constructing healthy living-related facilities such as walking or biking paths, outdoor gyms, small green parks and more. 

2.       Work with designers and all other relevant stakeholders to bring the initial ideas to fruition.

3.       Understand how to obtain funding for the selected projects, typically through collaboration with existing functions in the municipality.

We offer extensive access to our existing research environment in highly diverse neighbourhoods throughout northern Israel.

·         This includes access not only to residents but to all relevant organisations including the municipalities, schools, religious leaders, community organisations, NGOs etc

·         We offer extensive experience with health and related research in neighbourhood settings

·         (Digital) Tools connecting neighbourhoods with health

·         Extensive access to on-the-ground urban design and planning

· Extensive experience with local authorities

Please let us know if you're interested in discussing this further.

Contact details: natalia.gordon@biu.ac.il