The Epidemiology of War and Its Impact on Public Health: A Case Study of the Ukraine-Russia Crisis

Aims: The aim of this article is to provide a concise and comprehensive overview of some of the environmental and public health problems resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war.

Methods: This paper adopted a desk review of existing information available from peer-reviewed articles, scientific reports, and grey literature through triangulation of data sources.

Findings: Just sixteen months into the face-off, the crisis has been characterised by diverse public health challenges such as environmental-induced pollution; nuclear and technological threat; energy crisis; food insecurity; humanitarian castatropic; and likehood of a surge in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The escalation of conflict in Ukraine has caused civilian casualities, forcing people to flee their homes seeking safety and protection. So far, it is estimated that 9,083 civilians have been killed and 15,779 injured in Ukraine; with over 18 millions refugees diplayed within and outside Ukraine as of 19th June, 2023. furthermore, the war has notably triggered food price spike, economic pressure and social stress in most part of Africa, with the inclination to precipitate political upheaval especially in volatile countries in the continent.

Conclusion: We opined that prompt attention should be given by international bodies and humanitarian agencies to restore public health sanity in Ukraine by provision of critical protection services and humanitarian assistance. Conclusively, a cease fire by the belligerent nations remain the only panacea to the highlighted problem.