Richard Garfield, DrPH, RN, School of Nursing, Columbia University, Box 6, 630 West 168th St, new york, NY 10032, 212-305-3248, rmg3@columbia.edu

Compared to other countries in the region, the status of child health in Iraq was reasonably good 1970s and 1980s. By the time of the Gulf War of 1991, however, there was a dramatic decline in child health, including a precipitous rise in infant and childhood mortality rates, increasing levels of malnutrition, and a decrease in the provision and appropriateness of care for common childhood diseases. Four years after the initiation of the Oil for Food Program in 1997, improvements occurred but the country was still far worse off than it had been in 1990.

An anticipated humanitarian crisis did not occur following the 2003 war, but substantial disruptions to an already fragile health system occurred. Preventive and primary health care services are limited in both access and quality. An historic opportunity now exists to make rapid, measurable progress in child health.

Programmatic interventions can reduce infant and childhood mortality of up to 50% within 12-18 months. Each is partially contingent on improvements in security, continued improvement of water and electrical systems, the development of skills among Iraqi staff, and a consensus to prioritize child survival. Yet even without rapid improvements in these conditions, much improvement can now begin. Further, if these conditions are at least partially met, and if appropriate programs are developed, child health status in Iraq can quickly be restored to its pre-1990 status.

Learning Objectives:

• To learn about changes in health in Iraq
• To identify challenges and opportunities to improve health in post-conflict environments

Keywords: Iraq, Water

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.