THE LEGACY OF WAR

"Never whisper in the presence of wrong."—Bernard Lown, 1993

In the decades after World War II, Cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States led both countries to stockpile nuclear weapons. Fears of their accidental or intended use led American cardiologist Dr. Bernard Lown and Soviet physician Dr. Evgueni Chazov to co-found International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW). They described nuclear war as the "final epidemic," without cure or adequate treatment, and worked to educate citizens and government leaders about the consequences. In 1985, IPPNW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Protesting against nuclear weapons testing at Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, 1989
Courtesy IPPNW, photograph by Yuri Kuidin

IPPNW argues that a culture of violence, mistrust, and fear is used to justify nuclear weapons. Instead, defense spending could be better spent on health care, a good standard of living, and education. Weapons testing also undermines the health and human rights of civilians. In 1982, Dr. Bernard Lown traveled to Kazakhstan with a group of Nevadans to discuss the impact on both communities of living near nuclear test sites.

Dr. Bernard Lown and Dr. Evgueni Chazov accept the Nobel Peace Prize, Oslo, Norway, 1985
Courtesy IPPNW, photograph by Marvin Lewiton

IPPNW gained the worldwide support of affiliate organizations, concerned citizens, and healthcare workers in countries around the world. Their work has won them numerous accolades including the 1984 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Peace Education Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 1985.

Nobel Peace Prize received by Dr. Bernard Lown, 1985
Courtesy Bernard Lown, M.D.

Dr. Evgueni Chazov and Dr. Bernard Lown, Oslo, Norway, 1985
Courtesy IPPNW

Since the 1980s, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) has campaigned for a ban on the production and testing of nuclear weapons.

Plaque announcing the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to IPPNW, 1985
Courtesy Bernard Lown, M.D.

Since the 1980s, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) has campaigned for a ban on the production and testing of nuclear weapons.

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