Reducing the risks of nuclear war – The role of health professionals.

The Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved the Doomsday Clock forward to 90 seconds before midnight, indicating an increased risk of nuclear war. The UN Secretary-General has also warned of the current nuclear danger, likening it to the height of the Cold War. The editors of health and medical journals worldwide are calling on health professionals to raise awareness about this threat to public health and the planet's life support systems. They emphasize the inadequacy of current nuclear arms control efforts and urge action to prevent nuclear war. The use of nuclear weapons would have catastrophic consequences, and steps must be taken to address the root cause of the problem by abolishing nuclear weapons. The health community has played a crucial role in previous efforts to reduce the risk of nuclear war and must continue to do so. Health professional associations are called upon to inform their members about the threat and support efforts to reduce the risks of nuclear war. Immediate steps include adopting a no first use policy, taking nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert, and urging states involved in conflicts to publicly pledge not to use nuclear weapons. The ultimate goal is the elimination of nuclear weapons through negotiations among nuclear-armed states. The health community must work with renewed energy to reduce the risks of nuclear war and eliminate nuclear weapons. [Extracted from the article]