Quite literally, the greatest public health impact from Chernobyl was the mental health impact. Not cancer, not effects from long term radiation, mental health. https://www.un.org/press/en/2005/dev2539.doc.htm
Persistent myths and misperceptions about the threat of radiation have resulted in “paralysing fatalism” among residents of affected areas.
Alongside radiation-induced deaths and diseases, the report labels the mental health impact of Chernobyl as “the largest public health problem created by the accident” and partially attributes this damaging psychological impact to a lack of accurate information. These problems manifest as negative self-assessments of health, belief in a shortened life expectancy, lack of initiative, and dependency on assistance from the State.
“Two decades after the Chernobyl accident, residents in the affected areas still lack the information they need to lead the healthy and productive lives that are possible”, explains Louisa Vinton, Chernobyl focal point at the UNDP. “We are advising our partner governments that they must reach people with accurate information, not only about how to live safely in regions of low-level contamination, but also about leading healthy lifestyles and creating new livelihoods.” But, says Dr. Michael Repacholi, Manager of WHO's Radiation Programme, “the sum total of the Chernobyl Forum is a reassuring message”.
Dr. Repacholi concludes that “the health effects of the accident were potentially horrific, but when you add them up using validated conclusions from good science, the public health effects were not nearly as substantial as had at first been feared”.
holy shit... $6 trillion??? jfc