ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes war and armed conflict as a widespread social phenomenon with a range of harmful consequences for individuals and communities. War is increasingly viewed as a significant public health problem that compromises human rights and undermines sustainable social development (Pilisuk, 2008). The increased use of “dirty war” tactics (Hicks & Spagat, 2008) and the targeting of civilians and social infrastructure have served to amplify the destructive effects of organized armed violence. These outcomes are especially pronounced in poor and developing countries, the setting of a majority of global conflicts in recent decades.
