Oral

This session will describe the immediate and long-term public health consequences of war. Examples and lessons for prevention will be drawn from wars in Iraq, Haiti and Yugoslavia. The U.S. led military conflict in Iraq beginning in March 2003 has resulted in the estimated deaths of between 45,0003 and 600,000 or more Iraqi civilians, extensive destruction of Iraqi society and health-supporting infrastructure, widespread environmental damage and contamination, and the deaths of over 3,000 U.S. and allied soldiers. In 2006, APHA called for the immediate initiation of the safe withdrawal of U.S. armed forces from Iraq. APHA's policy statement opposing the war helped garner support for a project undertaken by public health professionals in Little Rock, AK that linked photography and evidence-based information to educate the public on the health impacts the war. The success of the AK project was translated into a collaborative effort leading to the photographic exhibition, “Unembedded” which will be on display during the APHA conference at the AFL-CIO offices in Washington DC. (A reception will be held at the exhibition on Monday 11/5, 6-8PM). In addition to exploring the importance of educating the public about wars’ impacts on public health, this session will present research describing the risks faced by children who are at particularly vulnerable to human rights violations by political actors, and examine the long-term environmental and other health impacts of national security activities in the Balkans.

Session Objectives: At the end of this session participants will: 1. Describe short and long-term public health consequences of war; 2. Identify ways in which conflict changes vulnerability patterns and exposes certain groups to increased, long-term risks; and 3. Recognize the role of research and public education in efforts to prevent war and protect public health.

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