Keep health at the center of public discussions on nuclear risk, researchers urge

Health experts are urging the public to prioritize health discussions surrounding nuclear risk, as tensions between nations rise. In 2025, nuclear-armed states collectively spent nearly $119 billion on their nuclear arsenals, a 19% increase from the prior year. With over 12,000 warheads globally, even a limited nuclear conflict using just 2-3% of these weapons could lead to global starvation and the collapse of modern civilization.

The United Nations General Assembly recently launched a thorough examination of nuclear war consequences, with the results expected by 2027. The World Health Organization plans to update its research on nuclear war's public health impact by 2029, marking the first major international reassessment in nearly 40 years.

Efforts to strengthen nuclear treaties have intensified, with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) legally binding 75 nations and 26 others having signed it. However, none of the nine nuclear-armed states have signed or ratified it, despite mounting pressure. While deterrence is often cited as the primary justification for nuclear weapons, the authors argue that this security is fragile, asymmetric, and solely focused on the threat of catastrophe, disregarding the needs of non-nuclear states.

Psychological and neurological insights suggest that decisions regarding nuclear weapons are not rational, and emerging AI and drone technologies, along with misinformation and disinformation, exacerbate the risk. To ensure human survival, the authors emphasize the need for a verifiable, deadline-driven agreement to eliminate all nuclear weapons. They stress that the health sector must persistently advocate for every country, including nuclear-armed states, to join the TPNW.