Caring for Kids in Conflict Zones

In this episode, I meet with Dr. Mike Falk, a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician with extensive experience providing medical care in combat zones. We discuss the scope and realities of children affected by war, readiness in conflict situations, maintaining safety as a healthcare provider in conflict and disaster situations, and how to support children affected by conflict. Below are medical literature and policy statements referenced by Dr. Falk during this episode.

Note: Dr. Falk mentions "RAF" when talking about Sudan, but is referring to RSF (Rapid Support Forces), a Sudanese paramilitary group, not to be confused with Britain's Royal Air Force.

1. Ayesha Kadir, Sherry Shenoda, Jeffrey Goldhagen, Shelly Pitterman, SECTION ON INTERNATIONAL CHILD HEALTH, Parminder S. Suchdev, Kevin J. Chan, Cynthia R. Howard, Patrick McGann, Nicole E. St Clair, Katherine Yun, Linda D. Arnold; The Effects of Armed Conflict on Children. Pediatrics December 2018; 142 (6): e20182586. 10.1542/peds.2018-2586

2. Molloy, E.J., Bearer, C.F. Advocacy for children in global conflicts: the value of children in our world. Pediatr Res 95, 1386–1387 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-024-03044-3

3. Shenoda S, Kadir A, Pitterman S, Goldhagen J; SECTION ON INTERNATIONAL CHILD HEALTH. The Effects of Armed Conflict on Children. Pediatrics. 2018 Dec;142(6):e20182585. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-2585. Epub 2018 Nov 5. PMID: 30397166.

4. Ferrara P, Cammisa I, Zona M, Corsello G, Giardino I, Vural M, Pastore M, Bali D, Pettoello-Mantovani M. The Global Issue of Violence Toward Children in the Context of War. J Pediatr. 2024 Jun;269:114007. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114007. Epub 2024 Mar 7. PMID: 38458606.