Harnessing the peace dividends of health
Ahmed Al Mandhari, Abdul Ghaffar, Carissa F. Etienne
Abstract
Building peace is usually considered the job and domain of diplomats. Health, however, is also a bridge to peace, and policymakers have identified the multifaceted linkages between health and peace.1 While conflict and violence affect physical and mental health, damaging health systems and other determinants of health, peace is also a critical prerequisite for health and well-being.2 The drivers of conflicts are often health related, and health can be a goal to help competing groups to unite for peace.3 The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while straining already fragmented health systems and societies offers new opportunities to build, promote and sustain peace in conflict-affected countries.4 The concept of Health for Peace has a long history, with a ‘Peace through Health’ framework developed in the 1990s.5 This framework conceptualises war as a disease, with interventions targeting preconflict, ongoing conflict and postconflict settings. Building on the work of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the WHO formally launched its Health as a Bridge for Peace framework in 1997.6 …