Chemical Weapons and public health: assessing impact and responses. (5th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ekzayez, Abdulkarim; Flecknoe, M Daniel; Lillywhite, Louis; Patel, Preeti; Papamichail, Andreas; Elbahtimy, Hassan
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health. Volume 42:Number 3(2020:Sep.)
• Page Start: e334
• Page End: e342
• Publication Date: 2019-12-05
• Subjects: Chemical Weapons -- Global Health -- health systems -- Halabja -- public health -- Syria; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz145
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-3842

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: The recent use of Chemical Weapons (CWs) in armed conflicts and terror attacks highlights the importance of understanding their full impact in order to inform an effective response. This article argues that while the consequences of CWs on individual health have dominated our understanding of the impact of these weapons, far less attention has been directed to their impact on public health. Methods: A review of the literature on the health impact of CWs was conducted, and two case studies of their use in urban settings were explored - Halabja in northern Iraq in 1988 and throughout Syria's ongoing conflict. Results: The importance of considering the long-term health consequences of CW use and their impact on healthcare and health systems was demonstrated. Conclusions: This article highlights the importance of supporting future research on the topic and proposes a framework for assessing the public health impact of CW use.