Public health and war in Central America.

Belize Guatemala El Salvador Honduras Nicaragua and Costa Rica constitute the fertile Central American isthmus. While Nicaragua and El Salvador have experienced the most intensive and widespread military conflicts no country in the region escaped serious direct or indirect consequences of war during the 1980s. This chapter discusses the economic and social effects of war in Central America as well as changes in health and health care. Economic sanctions intended to produce destabilization are also weapons of war and their effects are discussed. (excerpt)