Science Health Education Center

Empowering Health Care and Medical Research in the Middle East and North Africa

The Science Health Education (SHE) Center at Dana-Farber addresses regional health care and research challenges by linking evidence-based knowledge with education to improve cancer and virology treatment.

Contact the SHE Center

To support SHE Center research and initiatives, visit our giving page.

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Our Vision and Mission

The unique Science Health Education (SHE) Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will empower the health care community in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to establish best practices in public health and medicine – stabilizing and strengthening the fabric of conflict-torn societies through health.

View the SHE Center's 2023 Annual Report

Our Goals

The SHE Center's goals draw upon the Dana-Farber and Harvard Medical School communities to:

  • Promote best practices in medicine, scientific research, and the standardization of health practices, with a special focus on oncology and infectious diseases
  • Build the capacity of female clinicians, health care providers, and researchers in the MENA region to become agents of improvement, and to build community-specific solutions for problems facing their local patient populations
  • Make science, innovation, and healthcare improvements in the MENA region tangible by addressing infrastructure and capacity gaps through engagement and empowerment, while emphasizing collaborative efforts to ensure long-term success
  • Establish a two-way dialogue and training relationship between researchers and healthcare providers in the MENA region and the Dana-Farber/Harvard community
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Education and Training

Using mentorship and educational capacity-building tools for scientific research and care, we are training the best and brightest individuals within the MENA region as the next generation of leaders in health care and policy.

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Research

The SHE Center facilitates collaborative research specific to the MENA region – addressing key health gaps through cutting-edge research, with the goals of better understanding and ultimately reducing the region's disease burden.

SHE Center's Disease Areas of Focus

Cancer

Cancer is an increasingly significant health issue in the MENA region. The incidence and mortality rates of cancer are on the rise, driven by a combination of aging populations, lifestyle changes, and environmental factors. The MENA region witnessed more than 500,000 new cancer cases and 300,000 cancer-related deaths in 2020, with the numbers projected to rise substantially in the coming decades.

The MENA region faces unique challenges including limited access to healthcare services, high treatment costs, and a lack of awareness, leading to late-stage diagnoses. The region also struggles with a shortage of trained oncologists and advanced treatment options, compounded by cultural stigmas and economic barriers that deter individuals from seeking timely care. Additionally, inadequate data collection and research hinder the development of effective cancer control policies.

The SHE Center aims to mitigate these challenges by strengthening healthcare infrastructure, enhancing public education, expanding the oncology workforce, augmenting scientific research, and fostering international collaborations to improve cancer outcomes across the region.

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June 2023 – SHE meeting with Dr. Jamela Al-Raiby, World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Jordan.

Infectious Diseases

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in the MENA region is increasing, complicated by social, religious, and legal stigma. Research and prevention efforts are growing but remain inadequate. MENA is one of two regions globally that has an expanding HIV epidemic, with HIV incidence rising by almost 61% from 2010 to 2020. The region has the lowest treatment coverage globally (50%), contributing to delayed diagnoses. Deaths from AIDS have shown a substantial increase in the region, yet many MENA countries have not established their own national strategic plans to address these challenges effectively.

The SHE Center aims to tackle these issues through a multifaceted approach, including expanding comprehensive public education to combat stigma and enhance awareness, improving access to confidential and affordable healthcare services, and bolstering healthcare capacity through training, research, and international collaborations.

Learn More About Virology and AIDS Research at Dana-Farber

Contact the SHE Center

To support SHE Center research and initiatives, visit our giving page.

Email Us

Learn More About the SHE Center

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Events and Advocacy 

The SHE Center frequently hosts, sponsors, and promotes special events and projects throughout the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa, including Teatime with SHE and SHE Walks.

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SHE Cares

Established in 2023, SHE Cares is a locally-run collaboration network across MENA (with international partners) focusing on women’s health issues such as gynecologic and breast cancers, sexually transmitted diseases, and reproductive health. 

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SHE Center Staff, Collaborators, and Partners

SHE Center staff work with knowledgeable and influential individuals and organizations throughout the world. Our collaborators and partners lend their deep experience, expertise, and influence to help us positively impact MENA health care and policy.