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| War and Public Health Homepage
Welcome to the course War and Public Health. According to the World Health Organization, “nearly a quarter of the global population currently lives in settings affected by conflict, displacement, and natural disasters. Combined with weak national health systems, these settings make it difficult to deliver basic health services where they are most needed and would make the biggest difference” (2019). This course provides a comprehensive overview of the public health consequences of war and conflict on different populations, including refugees, humanitarian responses to war, the role of public health workers in supporting response efforts, and measures to prevent the escalation of violence. This course also explores the public health consequences of past and present wars, including the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ukraine-Russian Conflict, and the double burden posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This War and Public Health course was developed in partnership with the University of Incarnate Word (UIW). Like all NextGenU courses, it is competency-based. This course utilizes course objectives from the University of Incarnate Word and competencies adapted from the European Medical Peace Work Network. The course uses learning resources from accredited, world-class organizations such as the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations, and other professional and academic sources. The course was designed by Pablo Baldiviezo, MD, MSc, DiplEd; Reisha Narine, BSc, MSc; Magali Collonnaz, MD, MPH MSc; Rhonda Prudent, BSc; Maryam Musa, MBBS; and Sara Wildman, BSc, and reviewed by Professor Dr. Richard George Holt, MD, D.Bioethics, MSE, MP Faculty of the UIW. For publications on NextGenU.org’s courses’ efficacy, see NextGenU.org’s publication page. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of future updates and new courses and to be part of our community. This course consists of (4) modules, which include: Module 1: War and Public Health Introduction
Module 2: The Impact of War on Public Health
Module 3: The Impact of War on the Provision of Health Care for Vulnerable Populations
Module 4: Preventing and Responding to War and Violent Conflicts
The completion time for this course is estimated at 60 hours, comprising 15 hours of learning resources, 30 hours of studying and assimilating the content, and 15 hours of participating in learning activities and quizzes to assist the learners in synthesizing learning materials. This course is equivalent to 1 credit hour. Upon completing the training (4 modules), you will need to complete a final exam. The final exam will be designed so you have three opportunities to answer correctly until the required score of 70% or higher is obtained. At the end of each module, there is a practice quiz of multiple-choice questions. At the end of the course, after you’ve completed each module, quiz, and learning activity, you will have access to a final exam of multiple-choice questions, a discussion forum, and a chance to evaluate this course. Once you’ve passed the last test, you will be able to download a certificate of completion from NextGenU.org. We keep all of your personal information confidential, never sell any of your information, and only use anonymized data for research purposes. We are happy to report your testing information and share your work with anyone (your school, employer, etc.) at your request. Engaging with this Course: This free course is primarily intended for public health students, public health professionals, or anyone who would like to learn more about the consequences of war and conflict on public health, the importance of preserving public health in times of war, and effective public health interventions in conflict-affected areas. To obtain a certificate, a learner must successfully complete: - All the reading requirements,
- All quizzes and pass with 70% having unlimited attempts,
- All discussion forums,
- The final assignment,
- The final exam with a minimum of 70% and a maximum of 3 attempts, and
- The self and course evaluation forms.
NextGenU.org is happy to provide your institution with:
- A link to and description of the course training so they can see all its components, including the cosponsoring universities and other professional organization cosponsors,
- Your grade on the final exam,
- Your work products (e.g., learning activities) and any other required or optional shared materials that you produce and authorize to share with them,
- Your evaluations -- course and self-assessments,
- A copy of your certificate of completion, with the cosponsoring universities and other organizations listed.
To obtain a degree, NextGenU.org cosponsors degree programs with institutional partners. To obtain a full degree cosponsored with NextGenU.org, registrants must be enrolled in a degree program as a student of a NextGenU.org institutional partner. If you think that your institution might be interested in offering a degree with NextGenU.org, contact us.
We hope that you will find this a rewarding learning experience, and we count on your assessment and feedback to help us improve this training for future students. Here are the next steps to take the course for credit: - Complete the registration form.
- Begin the course with Module One: War and Public Health Introduction. In each lesson, read the description, complete all required readings and any required activity, and take the corresponding quizzes.
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| Module 1: War and Public Health Introduction
Instructional Goals covered in this module:
- Recognize the basic terminology for public health issues in war and discuss the global impact of violence/conflict on the types of interventions and policy responses.
- Examine and explain the root causes of war and conflict (e.g., social inequity and injustice) and their impact on public health.
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| Module1: Lesson 1: War and Public Health
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define the key terms related to public health issues in war (morbidity and mortality, displacement, malnutrition, infectious diseases, psychological trauma, disability, civilians).
- Describe the impact of armed conflict on the delivery of public health programs and interventions.
- Explain how conflict affects public health policy responses.
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Discuss the consequences of war on economic activities and the distribution of resources.
- Discuss how violence and conflict can reduce the availability of resources and how this can impact people and communities.
- Identify and examine the public health issues that have arisen as a result of past wars.
- Discuss how war has impacted public health and health systems throughout history.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 5 hours and 10 minutes.
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| Module 1: Lesson 2: The Causes and Impact of War on Public Health
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Explain how social inequity, injustice, and health and education disparities can lead to war.
- Explain how structural violence can lead to the outbreak of conflict and how it can exacerbate and prolong existing conflicts.
- Explore the impact of war on access to other services such as transportation or communication.
- Explore the impact of war on access to essentials services including water, food, and sanitation.
- Outline the different ways in which war has influenced the spread of disease and other health concerns.
- Examine the physical and psychosocial impact of war on children (Injury, Illness, Malnutrition, Growth retardation, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD.
- Examine the physical and psychosocial impact of war on women (gender-based violence, rape, HIV/AIDS, anxiety, PTSD, depression).
- Examine the physical and psychosocial impact of war on youth and elderly (injury, chronic illness, anxiety, depression, PTSD).
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 3 hours and 23 minutes.
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| Module 2: The Impact of War on Public Health
Instructional Goals covered in this module:
- Examine and discuss the health consequences, of a selected war in history, to populations including infectious disease, chronic health conditions, and environmental and health system infrastructure.
- Understand how the different weapons used in war impact public health (conventional, biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons)
- Predict the impact the threat of war has on public health.
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| Module 2: Lesson 1: Impact of Past and Present Wars
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Examine the impact of the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the healthcare system and the exacerbation of the Ebola outbreak.
- Outline the immediate and long-term health impact of the Vietnam War.
- Explore the consequences of the war in Iraq on the environment and structures that support health.
- Examine the health impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on infectious diseases, chronic diseases, and disabilities.
- Outline the implications of the Russia- Ukraine conflict in managing the COVID-19 pandemic (infection rates, availability of PPE, vaccination programs).
- Explore the consequences of the destruction caused by the Russia-Ukraine war on the environment and on systems that support health.
- Illustrate the consequences of the war in Ethiopia on population health.
- Summarize the main types of weapons used in war (biological, chemical, nuclear, conventional, land mines).
- Discuss the health impact of the biological, chemical and conventional weapons and land mines used in war.
- Describe the immediate and long-term health consequences of the nuclear weapons used in war.
- Examine how armed conflict can lead to death, injuries, and disabilities among military personnel.
- Examine the consequences of armed conflict on death, injuries, and disabilities among civilians.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 9 hours and 19 minutes.
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| Module 2: Lesson 2: Effects of the Threat of War on Population Health
Student Learning Outcomes:Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Discuss the economic, social, and health consequences of the threat of war and how it affects public health.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 44 minutes.
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| Module 3: The Impact of War on the Provision of Health Care for Vulnerable Populations
Instructional Goals covered in this module:
- Explore and justify the immediate public health needs and healthcare support of migrants and refugees fleeing war and conflict.
- Know and understand how armed conflicts affect the provision of medical aid and discuss strategies of peacebuilding through improving healthcare.
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| Module 3: Lesson 1: Migrants and Refugees
Student Learning Outcomes:Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Describe the concepts related to migrants and refugees (internally displaced persons, refugees, migrants, asylum seekers).
- Discuss the public health needs of refugees and migrants.
- Discuss the challenges faced by refugees and migrants in accessing public health and public health services.
- Summarize the factors that contribute to the spread of disease among migrants and refugees.
- Explain the health consequences of war on the Syrian refugees.
- Explore the social and cultural factors that define the experiences of refugees and migrants.
- Examine the burden of refugees and immigrants on the health and public health infrastructure of host countries.
- Examine the public health impacts of mass migration and why it is important to support the health needs of migrants and refugees.
- Discuss the importance of inter-agency cooperation and partnership among organizations that protect refugees and immigrants.
- Discuss the roles of governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 7 hours and 52 minutes.
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| Module 3: Lesson 2: Peacebuilding and the Delivery of Medical Aid Provisions
Student Learning Outcomes:Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Discuss how violent conflicts can impede the delivery of medical aid to the general population.
- Summarize how different public health strategies can be used to prevent war.
- Discuss the role of public health in the structural prevention of war at the primary level through effective negotiation and communication.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 1 hour and 12 minutes.
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| Module 4: Preventing and Responding to War and Violent Conflicts
Instructional Goals covered in this module:
- Evaluate and discuss approaches to the prevention of war and conflict through advocacy, measurement and application of epidemiological methods, promotion of health and social equity.
- Develop skills required to teach emergency preparedness in the health care professions.
- Apply humanitarian law and human rights principles to the prevention of war and preparedness responses in conflict or war situations.
- Respect others in both spoken and written correspondence by responding post or synchronous sessions in a professional manner.
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| Module 4: Lesson 1: War Prevention
Student Learning Outcomes:Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Describe the strategy for the prevention of war using the socio-ecological model.
- Outline the different public health actions that can be taken to prevent war and promote peace (peace advocacy, peace research, international peace work).
- Outline the role of public health professionals in preventing war and its consequences.
- Examine strategies for peace advocacy and conflict resolution.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 1 hour and 24 minutes.
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| Module 4: Lesson 2: Emergency Preparedness and Response
Student Learning Outcomes:Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define the concepts related to public health emergency preparedness (capacity, coordination, emergency, risk assessment, operational readiness, governance, etc.)
- Describe the importance of multisectoral collaboration for public health emergency preparedness and response.
- Summarize the different types of coordination that can take place during public health emergencies.
- Describe the role of the WHO in public health emergency preparedness and response, including the key principles of the WHO's Emergency Response Framework.
- Discuss how some countries (such as the U.S.) can assist other countries in their response to public health emergencies.
- Explain the importance and purpose of creating alternative care sites in public health emergencies.
- Discuss the role and importance of crisis communication during conflicts.
- Describe the differences between international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
- Discuss how International Human Rights Law protects the rights of people in peace and war.
- Discuss how International Human Rights Law protects detainees from torture in times of war and peace.
- Explain how international humanitarian law protects war victims from the effects of armed conflict.
- Discuss how humanitarian principles and human rights can be used to build peace and prevent further violence in conflict zones.
- Discuss the importance of developing a legal framework for public health emergency responses.
- Explain how the global legal framework for public health emergency preparedness affects national and local responses to public health emergencies.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 7 hours and 26 minutes.
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| Final Exam
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| Course and Self Evaluation & Certificate
In this section, you can provide feedback about this course to help us make NextGenU.org better. Once evaluations are completed, you will be able to download your certificate of completion.
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