How universities address health care challenges in conflict zones

Global Health Week keynote underscores universities’ crucial role in tackling health care crises amid new era of conflict

By Kathryn Byerly

In 2024, a quarter of the world’s population lives in conflict-affected countries, and the number of violent conflicts is higher than it has been since World War II. As a result of this increased unrest, 100 million people have been forcibly displaced, even without accounting for ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

These sobering statistics were shared by Nancy Reynolds, Ph.D., R.N., the keynote speaker at the 2024 Global Health Week hosted by MUSC’s Center for Global Health. Reynolds, associate dean of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and vice chair of the Board of Directors for Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH), believes that this new era of conflict requires a new era of humanitarian effort. In her keynote address, she discussed the role that universities can play in addressing the public health issues and other vulnerabilities that arise in conflict zones (watch her presentation here).

“Conflict can be described as development in reverse,” said Reynolds. “Even following conflicts, countries divert money from health to defense. Conflict and violence cost the world $5 per day.”

Reynolds also highlighted how conflict disrupts supply lines into affected areas, resulting in stunted care for chronic diseases for civilians, on top of increased mental health needs, infectious diseases, arbitrary killings and sexual violence. Health care workers risk their lives as they attempt to meet these many needs.

Taking action to address these challenges can be daunting, given their immensity, but Reynolds reminded the audience that, as members of the University community, everyone has a role to play.

“We can all be doing things, even if they’re very small,” she said.

Health care workers can share their expertise with their counterparts in affected areas, using telemedicine and other remote technologies when possible. International service opportunities offered by universities can enable health care workers in training to gain new perspectives on global health challenges. Reynolds also pointed out that doing what universities do best – generating knowledge – can lead to deeper understandings of the drivers and consequences of conflicts and pave the way for innovative solutions.

Both in her keynote speech and at a subsequent small-group luncheon with students and faculty members, Reynolds emphasized how students, programs and universities should reach out and listen to the needs of global collaborators. The CUGH has created a capacity-strengthening platform to match needs of areas experiencing conflict with available resources globally. She also spoke of the responsibility of universities to train their students in the basic skills of disaster preparedness and psychological first aid.

Reynolds warned that there are no “quick fixes” to end any one conflict or the global conflict crisis. However, universities can foster an environment that creates change-makers. By facilitating international collaborations and creating safe environments for critical thinking and informed debate, universities can encourage students to delve into the causes and aftermaths of conflicts and determine their role in effecting change. She emphasized how “two things can be true” and that universities should encourage students to explore the nuances of viewpoints to generate positive collaboration. She also argued that universities should stay neutral to establish this safe place for dialogue, underscoring that they are also responsible for creating the space for discussion.

Reynolds closed her presentation with a quotation by Albert Einstein. “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” In doing so, she reminded attendees of the importance of every respectful discussion, inquisitive research question and collaborative resource exchange, emphasizing how they all contribute to deeper understanding and ultimately improve the prospects for peace.