Poverty and war are among the two greatest threats to health and well-being. In virtually every study, poverty emerges as a major risk factor for most diseases. The tragedies of 9/11 and the current conflicts in the Middle East are painful reminders of the human toll and societal cost of war. Yet poverty and war are seldom addressed by most national and international medical organizations. They have generally focused on the advancement of science, public and individual health, access to care, and more recently the importance of noncommunicable diseases.