Global Health on the Edge of a World War III

Abstract

As the COVID-19 pandemic clearly illustrated, the well-being of populations is shaped not just by the health systems that generate diseases but also by the macro structural factors that influence the ecosocial determinants of health. Wars are among the most severe threats to public health, triggering widespread mortality, the collapse of health care systems, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, psychological trauma, and long-term socio-economic destabilization, as well as other forms of social and environmental destruction. This article explores the current geopolitical landscape, analyzing political tensions and the major causes of conflicts in order to evaluate the potential of a Third World War developing in the near future. It argues that, from a public health perspective, comprehending the geopolitical motivations behind armed conflicts is crucial for their prevention. Given the current era of escalating geopolitical tensions and the looming threat of nuclear conflict, the authors urge public health institutions and their educators and researchers to engage deeply with war and conflict as a determinant of health and health inequity, and advocate for peace through diplomacy and disarmament.