Track 1: Combatants

Distance and time does little to quell the effects that war has on its combatants. Damage – both physical and mental – inflicted on the battlefield pervades the rest of a combatant’s life, and ultimately harm not only the combatants but also their families and communities. Manifestations of these effects can range from military sexual trauma to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In this session, we aim to explore the treatment of acute physical and mental injuries inflicted during conflict, to discuss the myriad issues that arise in the treatment of war veterans, and to expound novel PTSD treatment research in the fields of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy.

Track 2: Vulnerable Populations

Within any society, though few are fully exempt from war’s consequences, the heaviest burdens of conflict fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable populations, including children, women, and those who have been displaced from their homes and villages. The Vulnerable Populations track seeks to foster understanding of the common mental, physical, and social health problems that impact these unique subgroups. Panels will represent a variety of academic, health care provider, and on-the-ground perspectives from affected communities, with an eye toward ongoing efforts to reduce vulnerability and facilitate better health outcomes amongst vulnerable populations.

Track 3: Policy, Human Rights & Social Justice

Policy, Human Rights, and Social Justice –This track of the War and Global Health Conference is about educating participants on the vital role that an ethically sound and just regime of international human rights plays in ensuring the prevention of war and conflict and ultimately the realization of health for all. Topics covered will include low-intensity conflict in the drug wars, health professionals and torture, and health and human rights law in conflict settings.

Track 4: War, Society & the Environment

Society’s priorities change during war: people become far more focused on survival and self-preservation than on maintaining biodiversity or environmental protection. Environmental integrity is at risk of degradation, contamination and destruction during times of armed conflict. War wreaks havoc on the physical, chemical and biological environments. In addition it disrupts the social environment as well as the human habitat. Direct war damage to the environment can be caused by the planned use of blast munitions, incendiary weapons and other causes of fires, defoliants and other toxic substances. Damage can also occur during wartime as a result of accidental detonation of weapons, accidental development of fires or release of toxic substances, an d pollution of the ambient air, water and land with hazardous materials.

Track 5: Health Professionals as Peace Workers

Health is a basic human need that is significantly impeded by the direct and indirect repercussions of conflict. As violence is nothing less than a pandemic afflicting our global community, health professionals must come to acknowledge the inter-relations between conflict and infirmity, and thereby reposition mandates and strategies to confront this pathogenic factor. The following discussions and workshops seek to explore the contexts in which health care and humanitarian aid is delivered and provide participants with tools to work and communicate effectively within complex emergencies.

Track 6: Impacts of Media & Information on War and Health

A better understanding of the intersection of war and health is essential to reducing the burden of armed conflict, and to improving the capacity of health workers to respond to its destructive consequences. Also important is the portrayal of war and health in different forms of media, such as journalism and film. This track will discuss the research tools used to measure the health impacts of war, as well as the methods of communicating these findings.