Disregarded Populations: Public Health & War

Public health in the context of war is a topic highly disregarded; yet, war ravages countries worldwide. Access to healthcare, water, food, mental health resources and so much more falls in the branch of public health and becomes even more of a necessity during war time. A population’s lack of access to public health often worsens devastation, which makes it very important to examine how the field gets changed during crises. A very clear example of the impact war has on public health is provided due to the wars occuring in nations such as Yemen, Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine and Iran. 

The title of one article published by the NIH speaks for the matter perfectly; “War prevention and mitigation are public health imperatives of our time.” During times of war, rates of infectious disease increase, citizen mortality rates are higher, malnutrition and mental health crises escalate. Cholera, one of the most prevalent infectious diseases, is spread through unclean water or sanitation issues. Cholera is linked to living in overcrowded conditions, poverty, poor hygiene and lack of safe drinking water (as stated in the NIH article, “Conflict and Emerging Infectious Diseases”). As known, these are direct effects of war. 

In Yemen, a civil war has been ongoing since 2014. As it’s continued, the collapse in public health systems has still been disregarded. This is highlighted by the lack of resources even during COVID-19 and the increase of cholera. In 2024, the UN reported that Yemen has the highest cases of cholera globally; an epidemic. There have been several public health officials who have spoken out and stood for the establishment of clean water, systems for trash disposal and more. Healthcare systems in Yemen have been shattered since 2014- WHO reported in 2024 that 46% of healthcare facilities are closed or only partially functioning. 

The horrible fact of the matter is that this is only one war-torn country; the suffering is no less but the response has been nonexistent. The U.S had cut funding to Yemen in 2025. Organizations like Doctors Without Borders still work in regions and need support. Yemen healthcare infrastructure has been described to be “edging closer to collapse” according to WHO- back in 2023.

Looking at Sudan; the third year of the nation’s horrific civil war is approaching. The UN states that 9 million people have been displaced. Massacres and sexual assault has been occuring with, again, little to none intervention from foreign powers. The major issue in Sudan is food insecurity; a public health crisis. Malnutrition rates in Sudan are increasing and cases of measles and malaria have been reported. 

Photo credit: Doctors Without Borders 

Over 19.5 million people face acute hunger. Outbreaks of malaria and measles are linked to attacks on healthcare infrastructure (similar to Yemen) that have left hospitals scarce and medical workers have even been killed or tortured. The COVID-19 pandemic had worse ramifications for both Sudan and Yemen with abysmal support being provided, a topic that must be spoken about in greater depth. 

Ukraine is still facing bombardment from Russia following a tense relationship since 2014 following the annexation of Crimea and the 2022 Russian Invasion. It has been four years since, and public health reports have shown mental health crises. Millions suffer from PTSD, anxiety and depression. Children's mental health specifically has been seen to be deteriorating; another example of a public health crisis. Correlation is evident between the Russian invasion and the decline of civilian mental health. Mental health of service members and veterans has been difficult to track. 

Finally, regarding Palestine: many hesitate to call the situation a genocide. The United Nations page, “The Question of Palestine” states that they have regarded the situation as such which is the lens we will view the tragedy through. No matter what one’s political belief may be it is undoubtedly clear that human suffering is immense in Gaza and the state of Palestine. 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7th, 2023 according to the Gaza Health ministry. There has been a complete collapse of systems within Gaza, with systems for waste or clean water failing. As seen in countries like Yemen and Sudan, this leads to outbreaks of cholera and improper sanitation. Malnutrition is rampant in Gaza, as blockades have prevented food from reaching civilian populations. 12,800 children were identified as severely malnourished in August of 2025 according to UNICEF. 

The crisis and tragedy of Palestine will undoubtedly be seen, like Yemen and Sudan, to be one of the utmost failures of human morality and healthcare. The responsibility does not fall

on the healthcare providers, 1,700 of which were killed according to Doctors Without Borders. The responsibility falls on a public that has invariably fallen numb to the ongoing situations globally. To people in power who have refused to take appropriate stances and responses. When approaching situations like war from a healthcare perspective, I feel deeply that one must view it politically: public health aid is funded through politics. The fact that has been repeated through the analysis of each of these countries is that very little aid is coming through. 

The mental health crisis in Gaza is unspeakable. 100% of children require mental health aid and psychosocial support. 96% percent of children report feeling death is imminent. This UNICEF report is the epitome of tragedy; the epitome of a population desperately needing the support of public health officials. It is devastating to consider the outcome of the healthcare workers who attempted to assist in the crisis. 

Photo Credit: NBC News 

It is devastating to consider a healthcare system failing in a country that so desperately needs it. 

War is a public health issue. War causes public health disasters. Malnutrition, mental health crises, cholera, measles, casualties and so much more. A tragedy does not end when it is refused to be labelled as a genocide. Suffering does not cease if an eye is turned away. Refusal of aid does not cause the issue to diminish. Public health is a failure if it fails in any part of the world and currently so many nations suffer. Public health is difficult to implement in nations like Sudan, Yemen and Palestine and this statement or so many others can make the situation feel hopeless. It is fundamental for those in safety to be consistently advocating for those who are not. That is what the solution is & what I see the future of public health to be. It requires our politicians to be continually held responsible and civilians to see the crisis as what it is. I won’t act as if I’m aware of how to support these countries through devastating times- I can only advocate for what I know, which is funding for healthcare and empathy.