War epidemiology versus peace epidemiology: A personal view

Introduction: Epidemiology can be considered as a responsiblepublic health science the aim of which is to control healthproblems. One of the most important public health problems is war the extent of which is hugely increased especially duringrecent decades. The aim of the present paper is threefold: Firstly,to determine to what extent this huge public health problem hasbeen investigated from epidemiological point of view. Secondly,if we categories such studies under the umbrella of warepidemiology what would be the definition of it Thirdly, wouldit be possible to introduce a new branch of epidemiology entitled peace epidemiology .Methods: In the present study the author have tried to fulfill theaims of the study based on his experiences and by reviewing themost relevant documents and papers.Results: World Health Organization (WHO) estimates thatwithin 17th century near 7 million people lost their lives due towar-related injuries whilst in 20th century up to 191 millionpeople lost their lives due to the same reason. However, evidencesuggests that enough epidemiological studies have not carried outto determine the sheer public health consequences of war. Warepidemiology can be defined as: the study of the distributionand determinants of war-related events in specified populations,and the application of this study to the control of war. It wouldalso be possible to define a new branch of epidemiology entitled peace epidemiology in order to highlight and document how peace could positively shape our community, our country, ourregion, and our world .Conclusions: Epidemiologists need to produce more scientificevidence about the public health consequences of wars. Theultimate aim of War epidemiology is to control war usually bysecondary and tertiary prevention activities. However, theultimate aim of peace epidemiology is to reinforce peace byprimary and/or primordial prevention of war.

کلیدواژه ها:

Epidemiology ، War ، Peace