The Influence of War and Conflict on Infectious Disease: A Rapid Review of Historical Lessons We Have Yet to Learn

Krzysztof Goniewicz, Frederick M. Burkle, Simon Horne, Marta Borowska-Stefańska, Szymon Wiśniewski and Amir Khorram-Manesh
Additional contact information
Krzysztof Goniewicz: Department of Aviation Security, Military University of Aviation, 08-521 Dęblin, Poland
Frederick M. Burkle: Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Simon Horne: Academic Centre for Defence Healthcare Engagement, Research and Clinical Innovation, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
Marta Borowska-Stefańska: Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Łódź, 90-142 Łódź, Poland
Szymon Wiśniewski: Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Łódź, 90-142 Łódź, Poland
Amir Khorram-Manesh: Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-10

Abstract: Armed conflicts degrade established healthcare systems, which typically manifests as a resurgence of preventable infectious diseases. While 70% of deaths globally are now from non-communicable disease; in low-income countries, respiratory infections, diarrheal illness, malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDs are all in the top 10 causes of death. The burden of these infectious diseases is exacerbated by armed conflict, translating into even more dramatic long-term consequences. This rapid evidence review searched electronic databases in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Of 381 identified publications, 73 were included in this review. Several authors indicate that the impact of infectious diseases increases in wars and armed conflicts due to disruption to surveillance and response systems that were often poorly developed to begin with. Although the true impact of conflict on infectious disease spread is not known and requires further research, the link between them is indisputable. Current decision-making management systems are insufficient and only pass the baton to the next unwary generation.

Keywords: conflicts; wars; infectious disease; civilians; casualties; deaths; vaccinations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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