Section: Module 1: Health Workers, Conflict, and Peace | War and Health | NextGenU.org

  • Competencies covered in this module:
    • Learn the basic terminology for public health issues in war and health 
    • Describe the magnitude and impact of violence in a global context
    • Know the types of interventions and policy responses that have been tried against violence
    • Learn the potential and limitations of health workers in preventing and mitigating conflict 
    • Consider the place of public health in humanitarian aid and peace-building 
    • Understand human rights issues around war and health
    • Develop skills required to teach emergency preparedness to students in the health care professions

    • Globally, violence can take many forms. It can be hidden from view in the privacy of the home or the workplace, or it can take the form of collective violence, such as war or acts of terrorism. Victims of violence can be innocent civilians, soldiers, "terrorists", or any others involved in the waging of war. 

      After completing this module, you will gain a better understanding of violence in a global context, in all its forms, and of the direct and indirect effects of violence on public health. Module 1 consists of one lesson, with its own resources, an activity, and a quiz.

    • Module 1: Lesson 1: Health Workers, Conflict, and Peace
       
      Student Learning Objectives

      Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

      • Learn about the different sources of violence and appropriate public health worker responses.
      • Learn about the role of and constraints on health workers in preventing and/or mitigating destructiveness.
      • Consider the place of public health in humanitarian aid and peace building.
      • Become familiar with The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
      • Learn a process and list competencies for the skills necessary for teaching emergency preparedness to students in the health care professions.

      Approximate time required to complete the readings (at 144 words/minute) and assignments for this module: 4 hours and 44 minutes.

       
      Required Learning Resources and Activities
    • url icon
      MPW Course 1: Health workers, conflict and peace URL
      Students must
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      • Read this course for a general overview of the role of health workers in peace-building as well as to learn the basic terminology and strategies for peace related work.
    • url icon
      World report on violence and health URL
      Students must
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      • Read Chapter 8 titled "Collective Violence"  (page 213-237).  It defines collective violence and the importance of studying it. This chapter also outlines the factors that affect collective violence, and the role played by health professionals in its prevention.

    • url icon
      Peace building through health initiatives URL
      Students must
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      • Read this article. Understand the role health workers play in preventing and mitigating conflict, as well as the limitations for health profesionals on this subject.

    • quiz icon
      Quiz: Module 1: Lesson 1

      To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to view the case studies and respond to the questions.

      TO PASS THIS QUIZ YOU MUST OBTAIN A SCORE OF 80%.

    • Additional Learning Options
    • url icon
      World report on violence and health URL

      • Read Chapters 2-7 and 9 to learn more about several different forms of violence -- self-inflicted violence, violence toward family members (including children and the elderly), and sexual violence.  Collective violence (chapter 8) was already read in this Module.  Reflect on ways in which a better understanding can help prevent violence.

    • url icon
      World report on violence and health URL

      • Read Chapter 1 titled "Violence - a global public health problem" (pages 1-19) to get a clearer overview of violence, what it means, its impact on global health and how to prevent it with a public health approach.

    • url icon
      Public health and complex emergencies: New issues, new conditions URL

      • Read this article to understand the role public health plays in humanitarian aid and peace-building. Consider the multiple roles and the complexity of public health in terms of peace-building and the defense of human rights.

    • url icon
      The Universal Declaration of Human Rights URL

      • Read this document to get an overview of The Declaration of Human Rights, in order to understand its relationship with public health.

    • url icon
      Preparing health professions students for terrorism, disaster, and public health emergencies: Core competencies URL

      • Read this paper to understand the importance of developing competencies for teaching emergency preparedness to students in health care professions. Review the list of competencies and possible useful strategies and concepts.

    • url icon
      Natural Disasters, Armed Conflict, and Public Health URL

      • Read the article.  It describes the connections between armed conflict, public health, and the changing climate.