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| Source: The Guardian |
It is no surprise that war takes a tremendous toll on public health. Resource wars are violent conflicts that are largely driven by control over vital natural resources- petroleum, land, key minerals, gold silver etc.
Competition for petroleum is likely to trigger armed conflict because petroleum is a highly valuable and increasing demand. Resource wars frequently occur in remote or poor areas, affecting populations already vulnerable to inadequate public health resources. Thus, wars fought over petroleum and other resources can create public health concerns by causing morbidity and mortality, damaging societal infrastructure, diverting resources, uprooting people, and violating human rights.
The authors call for increased advocacy by public health authorities to protect vulnerable population during resource wars. The call may seem a bit quixotic, nevertheless, the points made are of relevance.
Public health workers and the organizations can help prevent resource wars and minimize their consequences by: (1) promoting renewable energy and conservation (2) documenting the impact of past and potential future resource wars, (3) protecting the human rights of affected noncombatant civilian populations during armed conflict, and (4) developing and advocating for policies that promote peaceful dispute resolution.
Thoughtful.
Competition for petroleum is likely to trigger armed conflict because petroleum is a highly valuable and increasing demand. Resource wars frequently occur in remote or poor areas, affecting populations already vulnerable to inadequate public health resources. Thus, wars fought over petroleum and other resources can create public health concerns by causing morbidity and mortality, damaging societal infrastructure, diverting resources, uprooting people, and violating human rights.
The authors call for increased advocacy by public health authorities to protect vulnerable population during resource wars. The call may seem a bit quixotic, nevertheless, the points made are of relevance.
Public health workers and the organizations can help prevent resource wars and minimize their consequences by: (1) promoting renewable energy and conservation (2) documenting the impact of past and potential future resource wars, (3) protecting the human rights of affected noncombatant civilian populations during armed conflict, and (4) developing and advocating for policies that promote peaceful dispute resolution.
Thoughtful.
