The Cost of Conflict: Understanding the Health Consequences of War and Displacement

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Aamuktha Marepalli, a third-year medical student at SVIMS with a strong interest in research, medical awareness, and advocacy. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

War leaves a trail of destruction that extends far beyond the battlefield. While casualties are often the most visible consequence, the long-term health impacts of war and displacement are equally devastating. Millions of people are forced to flee their homes, often leaving behind shattered healthcare systems, malnutrition, mental trauma, and outbreaks of disease. The true cost of war is not just measured in the number of lives lost but also in the lasting health burdens carried by survivors.

Physical Health Impacts: A Crisis Beyond the Battlefield

The immediate health effects of war include physical injuries such as gunshot wounds, amputations, burns, and blast trauma. Conflict zones see an overwhelming strain on healthcare systems, with hospitals destroyed, medical supplies scarce, and healthcare workers either displaced or killed. Those suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, or cancer are left without access to essential medications, leading to worsening conditions and preventable deaths.

Pregnant women and newborns are among the most vulnerable. Disruptions in maternal healthcare result in increased rates of miscarriages, premature births, and maternal mortality. Malnutrition—exacerbated by food shortages and displacement—weakens immune systems, making children particularly susceptible to infectious diseases like pneumonia and diarrhea, which remain leading causes of death in war-affected regions.

The Silent Epidemic: Mental Health in War-Torn Communities

Beyond physical injuries, war inflicts deep psychological scars. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety are widespread among both civilians and soldiers. Children exposed to violence and displacement experience developmental delays and emotional trauma, often carrying the psychological effects into adulthood.

Despite the urgent need for mental health support, it remains one of the most neglected areas of post-war recovery. In many cultures, mental health issues are stigmatized, leading survivors to suffer in silence. Additionally, the lack of trained professionals and resources in war-affected areas makes accessing psychological care nearly impossible. Without proper intervention, the cycle of trauma continues, impacting generations.

The Spread of Disease: War as a Public Health Crisis

War creates the perfect conditions for disease outbreaks. Overcrowded refugee camps with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water become breeding grounds for cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases. Measles and polio, which had been largely eradicated in many regions, resurface when vaccination programs are disrupted. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted how displaced populations are particularly vulnerable in times of global health crises.

Another alarming trend is the deliberate targeting of healthcare infrastructure. Attacks on hospitals, medical personnel, and aid convoys deprive entire communities of essential healthcare services. When doctors flee, the sick are left untreated, leading to a silent but deadly public health crisis.

Rebuilding Healthcare in the Aftermath of War

Recovering from war requires more than just rebuilding hospitals. Long-term strategies must include mental health programs, vaccination drives, and training for local healthcare workers. International aid plays a crucial role, but sustainable recovery depends on empowering local communities to rebuild their own healthcare systems.

Additionally, preventing future conflicts through diplomacy, economic stability, and political reform is key to avoiding these health crises altogether. Peace, ultimately, is the most effective medicine against the devastating health consequences of war.

As Europe and the world grapple with ongoing conflicts and refugee crises, understanding the true cost of war is more urgent than ever. The scars of war do not fade with ceasefires—they persist in the minds and bodies of those who have endured them. Addressing these health consequences is not just a humanitarian responsibility but a moral imperative.

About the author

Aamuktha Marepalli is a third-year medical student at SVIMS with a strong interest in research, medical awareness, and advocacy. Actively involved in AMSA and Doctors for a Cause, she has contributed to various research projects in neurosurgery, radiology, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and community medicine. Her work focuses on racial and gender disparities in medical outcomes.