Medicine and Science from The BMJ Conflict in South Asia, and simplifying GRADE.
May 19, 2025
Gordon Guyatt, a distinguished professor at McMaster University and co-founder of the GRADE system, discusses the complexities of evidence evaluation, advocating for a simpler approach called Core GRADE. Zulfiqar Butta and Sanjay Nagral, co-chairs of The BMJ's South Asia editorial board, highlight the health impacts of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, emphasizing the need for nuclear disarmament and focusing on citizens' health needs. Chris Zielinski calls for the WHO to renew its nuclear war impact assessments, framing health as a cornerstone of peace in the region.
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WHO's Nuclear Health Mandate Lapsed
- WHO had a mandate to report on nuclear war and health which lapsed in 2020 and needs renewal.
- Nuclear risk includes health consequences from bomb development, storage, and testing, not just explosions.
Nuclear Damage Has Gradient Effect
- Nuclear damage has a gradient, with the most severe impact near the explosion and diminishing outward.
- Health risks also arise from arsenals and storage of nuclear weapons, not just detonations.
Nuclear Arsenal Growth Despite Reduction
- Despite fewer nuclear weapons compared to the past, arsenals are growing due to modernizations.
- Global tensions and ongoing conflicts contribute to reversal of disarmament progress.