In connection with the Ukrainian crisis, we have decided to devote our monthly press review to the theme of “War and global health”: How do war and conflict impact on people’s state of health? Which health determinants are most sensitive to conflict situations? How do war-related health crises spread beyond the borders of war-torn countries?
We have selected for you a series of articles of general interest, covering the overall impact of conflict on populations (wounded, refugees, displaced persons), the specific features of humanitarian health interventions in wartime, and the risks faced by health workers in conflict situations.
The health impact of the war in Ukraine is obviously at the heart of this press review: deterioration in living conditions, consequences in terms of public health, traumas, risk of interruption of treatment for certain diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV or Covid-19, aggravation of problems linked to sexual health , etc.
While the health of the Ukrainian population itself is a matter of great concern, the crisis is likely to have major health repercussions far beyond Ukraine’s borders, on the various bordering countries, such as Hungary, for example, on the region as a whole, but also potentially on a global scale, if we consider the effects of economic sanctions on the health of populations, the risks offood insecurity, the threat of the use of biological weapons or even the possibility ofnuclear accidents. For some, the war in Ukraine and Russian gas sanctions could even have an impact on achieving global targets in the fight against global warming.
This press review devoted to the links between health and war is also an opportunity to look back at other health crises linked to crisis contexts, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon,Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Finally, several articles focus on more specific conflict-related themes: the health of refugees and displaced persons, the resurgence of post-conflict epidemics, the effects of armed conflict on the health of specific populations such as women and children, human rights, and the effects of war on mental health (here and here).
Many other topics could be addressed, including the effects of war on international negotiations, or the instrumentalization of health issues for diplomatic or geopolitical purposes in conflict contexts. We can imagine that the war in Ukraine will have major repercussions on global health governance, and that it will polarize discussions in the international community for a long time to come, at a time when we so desperately need a common vision and a coordinated approach to health on a global scale.
Enjoy your reading!