Doctors must speak out about adverse effects on health of austerity and extremism, conference hears

Doctors must speak out when violence or political or religious extremism threatens people’s health, an international symposium has heard. Michael Marmot, president elect of the World Medical Association, said, “We have not just a right but a duty to make our voices heard.”

Marmot was opening a two day meeting in London on 24 March on the role of doctors and national medical associations in tackling the social determinants of ill health and increasing health equity. He was asked how doctors should respond over the divisive effects of austerity in western Europe and issues related to human rights and war in other countries.

Marmot said, “Health is an …