Oral

This session will address the public health impacts of wars in the Middle East among persons internally-displaced as a result of the Lebanese civil war and Palestinians. Presentations will address the acute and chronic health impacts of these wars and associated human rights violations, and barriers to reconciliation and reconstruction, such as war-induced psychological and geographical divisions. Specific measures to overcome the identified public health challenges, including community health projects with the capacity to relieve inter-group intolerance between conflicted communities, and other programs undertaken by governmental and non-governmental organizations will be discussed. The presentations will provide an understanding of how public health disciplines can support the human rights and primary health care needs in war-torn countries.

Session Objectives: At the end of this session participants will: 1. Describe the dynamics of health care in a highly conflicted region; and 2. Understand the effects of conflict in the Middle East on civilian populations.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing