War, terrorism and the public's health

Abstract

War and terrorism, which are inseparable, cause death and disability, profound psychological damage, environmental destruction, disruption of the health infrastructure, refugee crises, and increased interpersonal, self-directed and collective violence. Weapons systems such as weapons of mass destruction and landmines have their own specific devastating effects. Preparation for war and preparedness for terrorism bring constraints on civil liberties and human rights, increase militarism, and divert resources from health care and from other needed services. War and terrorism may be best prevented through addressing their causes, which include limited resources, injustice, poverty and ethnic and religious enmity, and through strengthening the United Nations and the treaties controlling specific weapons systems, particularly weapons of mass destruction. In particular, the United States should cease its interference in the internal affairs of other nations and its advocacy of unilateral pre-emptive war.

Keywords:

• civil liberties
• cycle of violence
• depleted uranium weapons
• health infrastructure
• human rights
• international law
• landmines
• terrorism
• United Nations
• war effects
• weapons of mass destruction

Acknowledgement

I am pleased and honoured to have been invited to give the keynote address at this fourth annual presentation of Sandwell Health's Other Economic Summit (SHOES) on 14 July 2006, on Health and Human Rights in Sandwell and Abroad. Portions of this presentation have been drawn from V.W. Sidel and B.S. Levy, War, terrorism, and Public Health, Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 2003; 31:516–523 and some portions have been updated in 2007.

Notes

^†Keynote speech at the 2006 Sandwell Health's Other Economic Summit