War And Public Health

Question 1

Learning Objectives

Answer 1

• Understand public health effects in a conflict setting
• Recognise key public health aspects of response in a conflict setting

Question 2

Define Public Health

Answer 2

• Public Health is defined as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society” (Acheson, 1988)

Question 3

Describe public health in more detail

Answer 3

• Health of communities and populations
• Core purposes of public health: preventing disease, prolonging life, promoting health
• Public health is an organized function of society

Question 4

List the direct impacts of conflict

Answer 4

• Loss of lives
• Physical injuries
• Mental distress
• Damage to public and private property & services

Question 5

List the first order indirect impacts of conflict

Answer 5

• First order; damage or restricted access to:
• Food
• Clean water
• Sanitation
• Shelter
• Power & fuel
• Health services
• Medicines
• Medical supplies

Question 6

List the second & third order indirect impacts of conflict

Answer 6

• Population movements
• Crowding in temporary shelters
• Loss of healthcare personnel
• Outbreaks of communicable diseases
• Malnutrition (particularly among children)
• Disrupted chronic illness treatment
• Dangers of pregnancy and childbirth increased
• Lack of population health information

Question 7

List the other factors that need to be taken into consideration during conflict

Answer 7

• Pre-existing situation: baseline healthcare, escalating political tension
• Targeting of healthcare services: overt, covert
• Aftermath of conflict: violence, external actors, IOs, NGOs, militaries

Question 8

What are the public health factors that need to be taking into consideration during conflict

Answer 8

• Lack of healthcare resources
• Lack of public resources
• Additional disease & injury burden
• Lack of information

Question 9

What are the primary goals of health responses in a crisis?

Answer 9

• Prevent excess mortality and morbidity
• Reduce excess mortality and morbidity [Sphere]
• Reduce illness and death in both the acute phase of the emergency and in the longer term

Question 10

What are the public health principles in conflict?

Answer 10

• Prioritise resources
• Information gathering
• Prevent disease outbreaks