The most under recognized problem is the duration of the impact of a war on the health of the population. I was born in the post WW II era, the proverbial baby boomer. Uncles and aunts on both sides were in the armed forces (a total of 11) and my childhood was consumed with stories of war, of loss, of disruption and as I grew older I recognized the PTSD, the alcoholism, the depression and anxiety and entire lives totally disrupted for a half century. As a psychology graduate student I saw many Vietnam vets 10 years after that war ended, and now as they age, I can see the life long impact. This war in Ukraine will adversely affect the health of people in Ukraine and Russia for the next 50 years, and we need to understand and communicate that message.
The most under recognized problem is the duration of the impact of a war on the health of the population. I was born in the post WW II era, the proverbial baby boomer. Uncles and aunts on both sides were in the armed forces (a total of 11) and my childhood was consumed with stories of war, of loss, of disruption and as I grew older I recognized the PTSD, the alcoholism, the depression and anxiety and entire lives totally disrupted for a half century. As a psychology graduate student I saw many Vietnam vets 10 years after that war ended, and now as they age, I can see the life long impact. This war in Ukraine will adversely affect the health of people in Ukraine and Russia for the next 50 years, and we need to understand and communicate that message.