301464
Right to Heal
It has been estimated that US troop casualties in Iraq from 2003-2012 are 4,486 deaths (from combat violence). From 2001-present there were 18,675 American wounded. Casualties from the Afghanistan conflict 2001-2014 were 2,309 (combat deaths). In 2012 suicide rate of active duty troops totaled 349, exceeding deaths in combat that year. A 2008 Rand Corporation study noted that 20% of the troops have symptoms of PTSD and major depression. Estimates of Iraqi deaths from 2003-3-2011 are estimated at 500,000 related to the US invasion.
Methods:
Data available from Rand Corporation, Department of Defense, individual investigators and an IAVA survey of American troops have identified that in addition to death from combat violence, war veterans have reported serious illnesses returning from deployment including PTSD, major depression, and violent behavior toward others.
Results:
The Iraq War is not over for Iraqi civilians and US veterans who continue to struggle with various forms of trauma and injury; for Iraqis who suffer the effects of environmental poisoning due to US munitions and burn pits; and ever increasing numbers of orphans and displaced people caused by war.
Conclusion:
A decade after the US invaded Iraq, Us veterans, Iraqi human rights organizations, and allies launched Right to Heal: demanding assessment of the impact of war in Iraq with rehabilitation and reparations for those harmed.
Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public healthLearning Objectives:
Describe the health impact of the American invasion of Iraq and war on American soldiers and Iraqi people.
Discuss programs in which public health professional could ameliorate the damage created by war and conflict in Iraq.
Create a public health campaign for peace.
Keyword(s): Activism, Social Justice
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Co-Director and Director of Iraq Veterans Against the War. I was in the Army from 2001-2006, with 3 deployments to Kuwait and Iraq. I was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. I have participated in IVAW’s biggest events, including the current Right to Heal Initiative.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.