War and conflict are major causes of human suffering. They also cause environmental degradation, perpetuate inequalities and undermine democracy. Nuclear bombs and other indiscriminate weapons of mass destruction are incompatible with the public health aims of safety and health protection.
But a vast complex of standing armies, militias, weapons manufacturers, arms traders and politicians promote war, violence and militarism out of self-interest and greed, or because they fail to see better alternatives for resolving conflict and disputes.
Health professionals have a long history of: providing humanitarian relief; facilitating ceasefires and the cessation of conflict; promoting disarmament and peacebuilding; and providing impartial evidence on the perpetration of war crimes.
Medact grew out of the medical peace movement and is the UK affiliate of the Nobel Laureate International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW).
Medact continues to promote disarmament and encourage investment in nonviolent responses to conflict; seek the abolition of nuclear weapons; and reduce the power and influence of the global military-industrial complex. It promotes the universal right to health as a platform for peace building and more effective international diplomacy and cooperation.
Latest
75th Anniversary Hiroshima Day Appeal
Our annual appeal remembers the anniversary of the world’s first nuclear attacks – on the cities of Hiroshima & Nagasaki in 1945 – and helps to support Medact’s work using the health voice to advocate for peace and nuclear disarmament throughout the year.
Medact Research Network – Peace & Security Cluster Meeting
The Peace & Security Cluster of the Medact Research Network will be meeting on Friday 7th August, 6.30pm - 8.00pm. For details of how you can join, please email our Peace and Security Campaigner Reem Abu-Hayyeh: reemabuhayyeh@medact.org
Prevent duty in NHS ─ August planning meeting
An online meeting to discuss the ways that health workers can take action on issues related to the Prevent duty in the NHS.
Prevent duty in NHS ─ planning meeting
Following the publication of our ‘False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare’ report, we would like to invite those who work in health to an online meeting on Monday 13 July at 6:30pm. In the meeting, we will discuss and brainstorm some...
Securitisation of Health
A number of policing and counter-extremism measures are embedded by the government into UK health services, at times requiring health workers to work closely with the police and other security agencies. In the case of the Prevent duty in the NHS, health workers are...