Suicidal Terrorism and Public Health

Suicidal terrorism—the targeted use of self-destructing humans against specific populations as a means of effecting political change—is now the most common, and most lethal, form of terrorism. Its effects on public health include loss of well-being and security, psychological illness, physical injury, death, public panic, and loss of basic civil liberties. This article discusses interventions that individuals, governments and the public health community may undertake to minimize the risk of, and effectively respond to, suicidal terrorism.