War and Public Health
by Dr. Barry S. Levy, MPH'70 and Dr. Victor Sidel
"War and militarism have catastrophic effects on human health and well-being. These effects include casualties during war, long-lasting physical and psychological effects on noncombatant adults and children, the reduction of human and financial resources available to meet social needs, and the creation of a climate in which violence is a primary mode of dealing with conflict.
"War and Public Health" is a milestone in documenting the impact of war and militarism on human health. It also demonstrates how health professionals, working through organizations like the American Public Health Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the International Rescue Committee, and the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, can reduce the impact of war and contribute to its prevention.
The participation of respected and trustworthy intermediaries and the willingness of parties to communicate with each other are the two key elements in preventing war and resolving conflicts through nonviolent means. Through our work at the Carter Center, I have personally seen the importance of these and other factors in preventing or resolving conflicts in Africa and Latin America, as well as here in the United States.
Because they promote healing, most health professionals are respected and trusted. They should be leaders in constantly working to prevent the pain and suffering that result from war, which has an unconscionable impact on human health. It is commendable that the editors and contributing authors of this book have addressed issues of war and militarism in a public health context. But as the editors state in the final chapter, we, as a global society, need to devote considerably more resources to improving our ability to prevent war. We need to gather and analyze information systematically, and then we need to ensure that this information is used to educate national leaders and others.
Public health workers led the fight to eradicate smallpox. They are now working to eliminate other diseases. We should all strive for a time when, through the efforts of public health workers and others, war too will be eliminated."
--Foreword by Jimmy Carter
Dr. Barry S. Levy, MPH '70, is a public health physician and epidemiologist, an Adjunct Professor of Community Health at Tufts Medical School, a Visiting Scientist here at the School of Public Health, and an independent consultant in occupational and environmental health. He received his BS degree from Tufts, his MD degree from Cornell, and his MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health 33 years ago. He has served as an epidemiologist with the CDC; as a professor of community medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he founded and directed its occupational health program; as a program director at Management Sciences for Health; and as executive director of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. In 1997, he served as president of the American Public Health Association. Dr. Levy has worked in over 20 countries, mainly in Africa, Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe. He has authored over 100 journal articles and book chapters and has co-edited 16 books and monographs, including four editions of a leading textbook on occupational health and the books War and Public Health and Terrorism and Public Health. He co-wrote and performs in "Damaged Care", the musical comedy cabaret about health care in America. Dr. Levy has received leading awards of the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine and the American College of Preventive Medicine. He is President of the HSPH Alumni Association.