War has profound consequences for human health, both by the direct effects of explosive weapons and by indirect effects, largely due to damage to civilian infrastructure and forced displacement of populations.

These indirect effects include malnutrition, communicable diseases, exacerbation of noncommunicable diseases, maternal and infant disorders, and mental and behavioral disorders.

In most wars, and in wars in the aggregate, these indirect effects cause more morbidity and mortality than the direct health impacts of explosive weapons. War adversely impacts the environment, with resultant impacts on human and animal health. Health professionals and others can help to reduce the health impacts of war and to prevent war itself.

Speaker:
Barry S. Levy, M.D., M.P.H.

Adjunct Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston

Author, “From Horror to Hope: Recognizing and
Preventing the Health Impacts of War” (Oxford University Press, 2022)