Investigating pesticide exposure and health effects among agricultural workers in the MENA region.
Official title: 1/2 - The Global Environmental and Occupational Health Research and Training Hub for the Middle East and North Africa Region (GEOHealth-MENA) - Lebanon
Funded at American University of Beirut · NIH-11054623 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how working with pesticides affects the health and behavior of agricultural workers, especially Syrian refugees in the Middle East and North Africa, and aims to help improve their living conditions and health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | American University of Beirut NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Beirut, Lebanon) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $289,051 |
| NIH project number | 5U01TW012236-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054623 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include agricultural workers, especially Syrian refugees, who are exposed to pesticides.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not involved in agricultural work or those not exposed to pesticides may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the environmental and occupational health challenges faced by agricultural workers, particularly Syrian refugees in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The project aims to evaluate how exposure to pesticides affects neurobehavioral outcomes in these populations. By collaborating with local institutions and NGOs, the research seeks to build capacity for environmental health research and address the specific needs of disadvantaged communities. The methodology includes assessing exposure pathways and analyzing the social factors that may influence health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health and safety practices for agricultural workers, particularly among vulnerable refugee populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in addressing occupational health issues in similar populations, indicating the potential for impactful findings in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nuwayhid, Iman a — American University of Beirut
- Study coordinator: Nuwayhid, Iman a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.