The effect of explosive remnants of war on global public health: a systematic mixed-studies review using narrative synthesis

Frost, Alexandra; Boyle, Peter; Autier, Philippe; King, Colin Guthrie; Zwijnenburg, Wim; Hewitson, David; Sullivan, Richard

doi:10.1016/s2468-2667(17)30099-3

Cited by 38 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Restoring landscapes affected by war often involves massive clean‐up efforts, ranging from the removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance to the remediation of sites contaminated during munitions production, testing, and disposal . Military installations account for more than 10% of “Superfund” environmental clean‐up sites in the United States, for example, a figure that swells to nearly 70% if industrial sites related to military activities are included .…”

Section: Postwar Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…28,99,100 The scope and longevity of these activities are often surprising, however, and because they take place within the context of reconstruction, they often have significant practical and policy implications for biodiversity conservation. 27,139,143 Restoring landscapes affected by war often involves massive clean-up efforts, ranging from the removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance 144 to the remediation of sites contaminated during munitions production, testing, and disposal. 145,146 Military installations account for more than 10% of "Superfund" environmental clean-up sites in the United States, 147 for example, a figure that swells to nearly 70% if industrial sites related to military activities are included.…”

Section: Postwar Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biodiversity conservation and armed conflict: a warfare ecology perspective

Hanson

2018

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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The activities involved in preparing for, executing, and recovering from armed conflict are globally pervasive and consequential, with significant impacts on natural systems. Effects on biodiversity are predominantly negative, produced by direct and indirect battlefield impacts, as well as the general breakdown of social, economic, and governance systems during wartime. Certain conservation opportunities do occur, however, particularly on lands set aside for training exercises, buffer zones, and peace parks. Here, the relationship between armed conflict and biodiversity is reviewed using the temporal framework of warfare ecology, which defines warfare as an ongoing process of three overlapping stages: preparations, war (armed conflict), and postwar activities. Several themes emerge from recent studies, including a heightened awareness of biodiversity conservation on military lands, the potential for scientific and conservation engagement to mitigate negative biodiversity impacts in war zones, and the importance of the postwar period for incorporating biodiversity priorities into reconstruction and recovery efforts. Research limitations and knowledge gaps are also discussed.

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Section: Postwar Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Postwar Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity conservation and armed conflict: a warfare ecology perspective

Hanson

2018

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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“…2 The overarching societal implications of these devices have, to date, been largely unexplored. In The Lancet Public Health, Alexandra Frost and colleagues 3 show the wide-ranging effects of ERW on populations, with effects going far beyond direct injuries, including farreaching and cumulative effects on livelihoods, mental health, public health, and overall security. These effects echo what we are seeing in northeast Syria, where Médecins Sans Frontières has been operating since 2013.…”

Section: Explosive Remnants Of War: a Public Health Threatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Explosive remnants of war: a public health threat

White

Désoulières

2017

The Lancet Public Health

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“…Approximately one in six children live in conflict zones, with the main global burden borne by citizens of low and middle income countries (LMICs) 1. Children enmeshed in conflict and post-conflict zones are frequently exposed to high-order explosives (HEs), either through explosive remnants of war (ERW) such as landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO), military ordinance such as shelling and aerial bombardments or acts perpetrated by non-state actors such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide bombing 2.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blast injuries in children: a mixed-methods narrative review

Hargrave

Pearce

Mayhew

et al. 2019

bmjpo

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Background and significanceBlast injuries arising from high explosive weaponry is common in conflict areas. While blast injury characteristics are well recognised in the adults, there is a lack of consensus as to whether these characteristics translate to the paediatric population. Understanding blast injury patterns in this cohort is essential for providing appropriate provision of services and care for this vulnerable cohort.MethodsIn this mixed-methods review, original papers were screened for data pertaining to paediatric injuries following blasts. Information on demographics, morbidity and mortality, and service requirements were evaluated. The papers were written and published in English from a range of international specialists in the field.ResultsChildren affected by blast injuries are predominantly male and their injuries arise from explosive remnants of war, particularly unexploded ordinance. Blasts show increased morbidity and mortality in younger children, while older children have injury patterns similar to adults. Head and burn injuries represent a significant cause of mortality in young children, while lower limb morbidity is reduced compared with adults. Children have a disproportionate requirement for both operative and non-operative service resources, and provisions for this burden are essential.ConclusionsCertain characteristics of paediatric injuries arising from blasts are distinct from that of the adult cohort, while the intensive demands on services highlight the importance of understanding the diverse injury patterns in order to optimise future service provisions in caring for this child blast survivor.

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The effect of explosive remnants of war on global public health: a systematic mixed-studies review using narrative synthesis

Abstract: King's College London.

Cited by 38 publications

References 60 publications

Biodiversity conservation and armed conflict: a warfare ecology perspective

Biodiversity conservation and armed conflict: a warfare ecology perspective

Explosive remnants of war: a public health threat

Blast injuries in children: a mixed-methods narrative review

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