“The health consequences of the 2003 war on Iraq will be felt by the Iraqi people for years, even generations.”
This report assesses the impact of the 2003 war on the environment and on the physical and mental health of civilians and combatants. It describes the war and some of the weapons used; its impact on health and the environment; and health-related issues in postwar reconstruction. The health of civilians and combatants has suffered greatly and continues to suffer. Its conclusions may help to determine whether waging war on Iraq was more or less damaging than alternative courses of action; how best to conduct postwar affairs to minimise further loss of life and maximise health gain; and how to approach such issues in debates about other conflicts. The report ends with recommendations relating both to Iraq and prevention of war.