Physicians charged with the responsibility for the lives of their patients and the health of the community must begin to explore a new province of prevention medicine, the prevention of nuclear war. This conference was held to alert these physicians worldwide, of the mortal peril to public health which could result from nuclear war. The hope is that physicians who are aware of the dire consequences will help educate their communities about the effects of nuclear war, since only an aroused and informed citizenry can change the current course of events. Seventy-three physicians from 12 countries participated in the conference. Areas discussed include: predictable and unpredictable effects of nuclear war; role of physicians in the post-attack period; social, economic, and phychological costs of the nuclear arms race as related to health needs; and what physicians can do to prevent nuclear war. In addition, public appeals to prevent war are made to heads of all governments and to the United Nations, to Ronald Reagan (President of the United States), to Leonid Brezhnev (Chairman of the Presidium of the U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet), and to physicians of the world. (JN)