Turkish Thoracic Society Declaration on Peace and Health the Importance of Breathing in a World Without War

Abstract

War legitimizes the right to kill for its participants, equating victory with moral justification; however, this perceived legitimacy is largely constructed on the deaths of civilians and other living beings. Medicine, by its very nature, is grounded in the principles of preserving life, doing no harm, and adhering to scientific and ethical standards, and is therefore fundamentally opposed to the philosophy of war. Wars lead, directly and indirectly, to deaths, disability, displacement, poverty, and long-term public health disasters. Attacks on health facilities, restrictions on access to food and water, environmental destruction, and air pollution disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. The psychological consequences of war often evolve into persistent neuropsychiatric conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and moral injury. Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is a prerequisite for health, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. The concept of positive peace strengthens health indicators through well-functioning institutions, equitable resource distribution, and the protection of human rights. Within this framework, health professionals and civil society organizations are critical actors in advocating for peace and in making human rights violations visible. The Turkish Thoracic Society regards peace as an indispensable condition for public and respiratory health, affirms its opposition to all wars—particularly the ongoing atrocities in Gaza—and reaffirms its commitment to sustained, health-based advocacy for peace.