A matter of time and place: violent conflict and civilian physical health

摘要

Looking at the differences between wars and local differences within wars, the conclusion must be that the horsemen of the Apocalypse do not ride out together as automatically as often presumed. Death rates do not automatically rise when major violent conflict breaks out. The general notion that violence has a negative effect on people's health cannot be drawn for every war and every place. What the actual effect is depends on the way the war is waged and especially the weaponry used; which measures are taken during the war to lessen the negative effects of violence on health; whether it is an ideological war or not; if there is a racial element involved, and so forth. It depends in other words not only on the actual acts of warfare but also on the political, cultural, ideological, and economic circumstances in which the war is waged; that is, it depends on time and place.