This book has two main purposes. The first is to provide a systemic survey of information on the direct and indirect consequences of war on public health and the roles that health professionals and their organizations can play in preventing war and its consequences. A wide spectrum of other individuals and their organizations, including diplomats, economists, sociologists, and policy makers, also play roles in the prevention of war and its consequences, and can benefit from this information. The second purpose of this book is to help make war and its prevention an integral part of public healt ... More

This book has two main purposes. The first is to provide a systemic survey of information on the direct and indirect consequences of war on public health and the roles that health professionals and their organizations can play in preventing war and its consequences. A wide spectrum of other individuals and their organizations, including diplomats, economists, sociologists, and policy makers, also play roles in the prevention of war and its consequences, and can benefit from this information. The second purpose of this book is to help make war and its prevention an integral part of public health education, research, and practice. The book is divided into six parts. Part I places war in the context of public health. Part II addresses the epidemiology of war and the impact of war on health, human rights, and the environment. Part III focuses on major categories of weapons and their adverse health effects. Part IV addresses the adverse effects of war on children, women, refugees and internally displaced persons, and prisoners of war. Part V addresses the health impact of five specific wars of varied type and magnitude. Part VI discusses the roles of health professionals and organizations during war and the roles they can play in preventing war and reducing its health consequences.