7 May 2025, Cairo, Egypt – In February and April 2025, the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (EMHJ) published a 2-part special issue on the medical risks and public health implications of the war in Gaza. The issue features 38 papers on different aspects of public health.
Of the 38 papers, 11 focus on noncommunicable and chronic diseases, 11 on health systems and wider impact, 7 on trauma, 4 on infectious diseases, 3 on food security and nutrition and 2 on academia. Nine of the papers focus on issues directly affecting the health of children, such as trauma and injuries, rehabilitation, mental health, cancer, diabetes, kidney failure and ophthalmic care, highlighting the tremendous impact of the war on young people.
Health care has been a major casualty of the conflict in Gaza. As of 15 March 2025, WHO had recorded 670 attacks on health care, leaving 886 health workers dead and 1355 injured. Only 21 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals, and 72 of 150 primary health centres, were partially functional.
The special issue documents the impact of the war on health care in Gaza, providing evidence for further research as well as for policy, advocacy and targeted interventions. Papers highlight the horrific state of health care in the Gaza Strip and draw attention to health issues requiring urgent and sustained response.
Full versions of papers published in the 2 issues are available free for view and download at https://www.emro.who.int/emh-journal/eastern-mediterranean-health-journal/home.html.
Full versions of papers published in the 2 issues are available free for view and download at:
EMHJ is a monthly, open access journal published by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. It publishes papers in all areas of public health, in English, Arabic and French, in support of the WHO strategic objective of making health knowledge accessible to all.