Proliferation of nuclear weapons: Opportunities for control and abolition

V.W. Sidel and B.S. Levy

American Journal of Public Health, 2007, vol. 97, issue 9, 1589-1594

Abstract: Nuclear weapons pose a particularly destructive threat. Prevention of the proliferation and use of nuclear weapons is urgently important to public health. "Horizontal" proliferation refers to nation-states or nonstate entities that do not have, but are acquiring, nuclear weapons or developing the capability and materials for producing them. "Vertical" proliferation refers to nation-states that do possess nuclear weapons and are increasing their stockpiles of these weapons, improving the technical sophistication or reliability of their weapons, or developing new weapons. Because nation-states or other entities that wish to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons need methods for delivering those weapons, proliferation of delivery mechanisms must also be prevented. Controlling proliferation - and ultimately abolishing nuclear weapons - involves national governments, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental and professional organizations, and society at large.

Date: 2007
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2006.100602_7

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2006.100602

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