Question

There are two parts to this assignment: (350 words)

A. Explain Levy and Sidel’s statement, “War is the most serious threat to public health”.

article: http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195311181.001.0001/acprof-9780195311181-chapter-1

B. In your opinion, if it is the most serious threat, why isn’t more being done to protect populations from this public health threat?

Answer 1

A. War is the most serious threat to public health. This statement holds true as war not only brings economic crisis but also many diseases along with it. Poor health conditions in military camps leads to many health related problems. Improper hygiene, poor sanitation and food quality leads to diseases such as cholera, typhoid. Many people get injured during war which can lead to disability and handicapped. Use of nuclear weapons as seen in Japan can lead to devastating health issues. Nuclear weapons can cause genetic disorders which exhibits there effect till many generations. Poor hygienic conditions can lead breakdown of diseases which can also affect the normal population. Poor sexual practices lead to HIV, syphilis.

Also unavailability of good medical services cause health problems.

B. Government has now started to understand that war leads to economic as well as health crisis and started to avoid wars as nuch as possible. But no serious health gaurding norma have been formed if in case of war. These health guarding norms are still lacking. People still need to understand about the health issues brought down by war. Proper medical services, insurances, hygiene and sanitation need to be implemented.