The Lancet: Offline: What the war against ISIL means for health
Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet

“…The negative effects of ISIL on health are all too clear. First, there will be higher rates of conflict-related mortality. … Second, there will be serious damage to health systems — their infrastructure, services, medical supplies, and information systems. … Third, the so far neglected subject of refugee health will become increasingly important in global health. … Fourth, ecosystems will be harmed, thereby further threatening the health of human populations. Finally, political priorities will likely shift away from traditional domestic concerns … Global health could make peace a central part of its vision post-2015. How might it do so? By making peace through health (and health through peace) a critical aspect and action of its work. One opening might be the new attention being given to global health security. WHO could seize first-mover advantage to kick-start this dialogue. There would be no better place to do so than the gathering of its Executive Board in January, 2016” (11/28).