Week 2 wrap up
This week we explored the catastrophic health, humanitarian and environmental consequences of a nuclear conflict. War is a form of what Galtung called “direct violence”, on a massive scale. War violates basic needs through the intentional use of physical power.
We also discussed why nuclear stockpiles are part of the continuum of violence that undermines health. The WHO World Report on Violence and Health (2002) suggests that violence is not inevitable, and that health professionals can play an active part in preventing it.
Now that you have completed this week, you should be able to:
- Describe the health effects of a nuclear weapon detonation.
- Recognise that any medical response to a nuclear explosion will be inadequate.
- Discuss why health professionals’ involvement in preventing nuclear conflict is important.
If you would like to know more about medical disarmament work, take a look at e-book 3 on ‘War, weapons and conflict stategies’ of the Medical Peace Work textbook.
Next week we will explore another macro level example of violence…. the climate crisis!
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