From Horror to Hope

Barry S. Levy, MD, MPH, is a physician and epidemiologist who has written and spoken extensively on the public health impacts of war and terrorism, social injustice, climate change, and environmental and occupational hazards. He has edited 20 previous books and authored more than 250 journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Levy is an Adjunct Professor of Public Health at Tufts University School of Medicine. He is a Past President of the American Public Health Association and a recipient of its most prestigious award, the Sedgwick Memorial Medal.

• List of ProfilesPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorTimespans of Wars Cited Part I: Introduction Chapter 1: A Public Health Perspective on War Chapter 2: The Nature of War Chapter 3: Human Rights, Ethics, and International Humanitarian Law Part II: Types of Weapons Chapter 4: Conventional Weapons Chapter 5: Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Weapons Part III: Health Impacts on Civilians Chapter 6: Assaults and Injuries Chapter 7: Malnutrition and Communicable Diseases Chapter 8: Mental Disorders Chapter 9: Adverse Impacts on Reproductive Health Chapter 10: Noncommunicable Diseases Chapter 11: Vulnerable Populations Part IV: Other Impacts and Their Documentation Chapter 12: Health Impacts on Military Personnel and Veterans Chapter 13: Impacts on the Environment Chapter 14: Determining the Health Impacts of War Part V: The Future Chapter 15: Preventing War and Promoting Peace NotesIndex

[Levy] describes how war affects population health in different forms and dimensions, ranging from injuries, mental and reproductive health, to (non)communicable diseases, and he identifies subpopulations at particular risk, from children to military personnel. He covers the effects of different types of weapons, as well as legal and ethical aspects of war. Importantly, Levy proposes what role public health professionals can play in preventing war and promoting peace. His book will be of interest to public health students and practitioners wishing to obtain an overview of these long-neglected topics. The breadth of the topics Levy covers is impressive.