War, armed conflict, and fragile states: Oral health is suffering

Abstract

Health and oral health inevitably suffer in war and armed conflicts. The war in Ukraine and its atrocities being broadcast in real time through media and social platforms, has once again shed light on unimaginable human suffering. Sadly, the war in Ukraine is not the only ongoing armed conflict. According to the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, there are more than 110 armed conflicts globally—45 in the Middle East and North Africa region alone—and 6 in Latin America 1 Today’s armed conflicts. Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. https://geneva-academy.ch/galleries/today-s-armed-conflictsDate accessed: February 12, 2023 Google Scholar (Figure). Moreover, fragile states comprise more than 60 countries that have emerged from armed conflict or major crises and often lack the resources and capacity to meet the basic needs of their populations. Dr. Benzian is a research professor, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion and a codirector, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Quality-improvement and Evidence-based Dentistry, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, and a research fellow, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Dr. Beltrán-Aguilar is an adjunct professor, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion and a codirector, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Quality-improvement and Evidence-based Dentistry, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY. Dr. Niederman is a professor, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY.