Counterterrorism policies and practices: health and values at stake

摘要

The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used a fake vaccination programme to obtain DNA (deoxyri- bonucleic acid) samples in the search for Osama Bin Laden, which caused distrust and hampered polio eradica- tion and other public health efforts in Pakistan. 1 , 2 The Obama administra- tion's vow that the CIA will never again exploit a vaccination programme in its counterterrorism efforts, therefore came as welcome news to global health and humanitarian communities. 3 Distrust and suspicion that public health programmes are being used to ad- vance foreign interests have contributed to the increase in murders and violent attacks on vaccination workers. 2 There have been setbacks to polio eradication efforts and other public health objec- tives. 2 Counterterrorism policies and practices can have unintended health impacts, especially where health pro- grammes are co-opted or undermined, in countries where health systems are strained and population-health indica- tors are poor.