Shapira Stav

Stav Shapira, PhD, is a lecturer (associate professor) at the school of public health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Her main research interests are disaster preparedness and response of individuals, local communities and healthcare systems, with a special emphasis on the interface between those. Additional areas of interest are vulnerable populations (e.g. older persons and people with disabilities) in emergency situations; and the integration of new and existing technologies for the purpose of improving emergency management and mitigating adverse health and social impacts. As part of Stav’s recent research projects she was part of a team that developed a community-based model, utilizing a GIS-based tool, for creating a safety net around medically vulnerable individuals in large public health emergencies. In another project she led a team that explored elements of resilience and distress among Israeli communities adjacent to the Israel-Gaza border. Her current work, during the coronavirus outbreak, focuses on providing support for community-dwelling older persons via online platforms such as Zoom and WhatsApp.