They are using it wrong. I think when op said "war" op meant "public health policy" which is really far away from war. It's actually the complete opposite thing.
2a: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism
b: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a
particular end
a class war
a war against disease
Note that last line. The use here is so extremely valid that it's an example in the dictionary!
