The impacts of war on health, human rights, and the environment—an overview
Barry S. Levy
Abstract
War adversely affects health, violates human rights, and contaminates the environment. Direct health impacts of war result mainly from explosive weapons. Indirect health impacts of war, which often occur more frequently than the direct impacts, are primarily due to damage to civilian infrastructure and forced displacement of populations. These indirect impacts include malnutrition, communicable diseases, exacerbation of noncommunicable diseases, maternal and infant disorders, and mental and behavioral disorders. In many wars, there is widespread violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. War and the preparation for war contaminate air, water, and land, increasing the risk of adverse health effects. Health professionals can play major roles in providing medical care to victims of war, documenting and performing research on the health impacts of war, educating and raising awareness, and advocating for policies and programs to prevent war and build sustainable peace.