Beirut 1984: A Population and Health Profile

These are the proceedings of a January 1983 symposium organized by the American University of Beirut and the Goethe Institute at a midpoint in the Lebanese Civil War when the Beirut city center was being cleared of the destructive effects of the war in preparation for reconstruction. The ten papers address the damage sustained during the first part of the civil war, and make recommendations for reconstruction. Lessons from the post-World War II reconstruction of Europe and an overview of Beirut's previous history are included. This publication contains thirteen illustrations, four maps, and twenty-one photos.​

​The Profile of a Neighborhood presents an overview of the findings of the Ras Beirut Well-Being Survey, conducted in 2009–2010 by members of AUB's Faculty of Health Sciences. It represents the efforts of a multidisciplinary team drawn from across the American University of Beirut, and provides the first systematic portrait of Ras Beirut in the last forty years. The survey's goal was to provide up-to-date sociological, demographic, and health information about neighborhood residents, a valuable snapshot of life in Ras Beirut shortly before the conflict in Syria brought an influx of Syrian citizens to the neighborhood. The book presents a wide variety of statistical details about the residents of Ras Beirut, including marital status, nationality, household structure, religiosity, income and household wealth, education, and quality of life. Its findings suggest that even in Ras Beirut, which is considered an affluent neighborhood of which AUB is a part, it is possible to find extremes existing side by side—wealth and poverty, social and economic inequality, and the corresponding effects on well-being.

​These are the findings of a ten-year follow-up study to the “1984 Beirut." This book provides a rich array of statistics and information as well as comparative data on the population of Beirut at two different points in time. Changes in demographics and health statuses, use of health services, and the prevalence of chronic and acute diseases are assessed. In addition to providing data unique to a city that had recently experienced fifteen years of civil war, the book describes approaches useful to students of survey methodology. In a country that has lacked reliable health information systems for much of its existence, these surveys present a valuable alternative for the development of future health care services. Lists of figures and tables, chapter abstracts, and questionnaires are presented in both English and Arabic.

​​Food Composition has been a popular nutritional resource for more than 40 years. It is an informative handbook for both specialists and laymen and all those interested in Middle Eastern foods and their nutritive value. In addition to presenting valuable nutritional information, the book also provides helpful translations in English and Arabic of the names of many food items. In addition to the food composition tables, the book includes 104 recipes for Middle Eastern dishes and their nutritional composition. Nine appendices complete the work.