WAR IN UKRAINE: CHALLENGES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

Objectives. To analyze the principal public health challenges associated with the war in Ukraine.

Methods. A narrative analytical review of published scientific literature and publicly available institutional reports was conducted using a bibliosemantic approach for identification and thematic synthesis of evidence and an analytical approach for interpretation of findings.

Results. The reviewed evidence indicates a multidimensional impact of the war on public health, including civilian deaths and injuries, population displacement, damage to health-care infrastructure, disruption of access to essential services, increased mental-health needs, risks to continuity of care for chronic diseases, infectious-disease threats, and pressure on health-system resilience.

Conclusions. The war has substantially affected population health and the functioning of Ukraine’s health system. Sustained protection of health care, continuity of essential services, mental-health support, surveillance and prevention, workforce support, and long-term health-system recovery remain major public health priorities.