The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #35878

Sharon M. McDonnell, MD, MPH¹, Nadine Sunderland¹, Ben Bellows¹, Mark White¹, and Eric Noji, MD, MPH². (1) Division of International Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS K72, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-8322, sem0@cdc.gov, (2) National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop C-18, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333

The enormity of public health risks in conflict zones and the placement of epidemiologists between policy-makers and the public means that epidemiologists must face conflict prevention and mitigation issues. This paper describes the competencies necessary for epidemiologists to be effective in conflict prevention and mitigation.

We reviewed the literature, interviewed epidemiologists who worked in conflict zones, and gathered insights from experienced public health professionals.

Four important themes beyond epidemiologists’ traditional practice emerged from the study: building trust, translating quality science into public health action, communication, and expanding research on conflict resolution and violence prevention.

The results suggest that trust must exist to effectively work in conflict zones. However, even in periods of no violence, epidemiologists must avoid being politicized, be aware of security, and develop creative evidence-based strategies to provide health services to vulnerable populations. There should also be a willingness to creatively adapt existing science-to-action methodologies to meet needs in conflict areas. The study also underscored the importance of effective communication with those on all sides in conflict zones.

Using the competencies identified, epidemiologists will be better able to present evidence for health activities that promote positive health policies, address human development inequities that exacerbate conflict and violence, and advocate for the abolition or limited use of weapons. The epidemiologist can also facilitate multi-lateral cooperation for the reconstruction and development of the public health infrastructure as well as reintegrate sectors of the citizenry into the health system and monitor post-trauma effects in the general population.

Learning Objectives:

• · List two roles for epidemiologists in areas of conflict.
• · Describe two long-term impacts of conflict on public health.
• · Describe two ways that conflict affects the gathering of epidemiological data.
• · Define four skills used by epidemiologists for effective peacemaking and peacekeeping in conflict zones.

Keywords: War, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.