Financial restrictions: a supposedly peaceful tactic that claims lives

Financial restrictions: a supposedly peaceful tactic that claims lives

In a recent study published in The Lancet Global Health, researchers have found a direct correlation between economic sanctions imposed by the US and EU and increased mortality rates, especially among children, women, and the most marginalized populations.

The study, based on data from 152 countries, reveals that economic sanctions have been associated with an annual increase of 564,258 deaths between 1971 and 2021. This figure surpasses the number of deaths caused by armed conflicts during the same period.

One of the mechanisms through which sanctions affect global health is by reducing the quality and quantity of public healthcare services. This is often due to decreased public revenues and restricted access to essential imports such as medical supplies and food. As a result, basic healthcare services and humanitarian aid become scarce, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups like children and women who rely heavily on consistent access to maternal and pediatric care.

The study also highlights the impact of sanctions on countries like Iraq, Syria, and Venezuela. For instance, the embargo imposed on Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait in the 1990s was associated with the death of over 500,000 children, according to UNICEF. Syria, subjected to multiple rounds of sanctions since 2011, now has 90% of its population living below the poverty line. Venezuela, sanctioned since 2017, experienced an economic contraction of 71% between 2012 and 2020.

Scarcity in Venezuela directly affected the availability of cancer treatments and retrovirals due to sanctions. Similarly, the Caesar Act reinforced in Syria's sanctions in 2020 has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the country.

The latest report presented to the United Nations states that just four months of the blockade on Cuba equals the funding required to cover the country's basic medicine needs for a year. Sanctions on countries like Cuba can lead to induced shortages, which are not surgical interventions but a sustained form of coercion.

Despite the widespread use of economic sanctions, the rate of success in achieving the stated goal remains around 30%, according to the study. The researchers argue that all economic sanctions ultimately function as health sanctions, disproportionately harming children, women, and the most marginalized populations.

With an estimated 564,000 additional deaths per year, the label of 'non-violent measure' for economic sanctions is questioned. The study argues that these restrictive measures affect access to medical services, food security, and socio-economic development, leading to increased mortality rates and prolonged suffering for millions worldwide.

[1] Rodriguez, F., Rendon, S., & Weisbrot, M. (2021). Economic Sanctions as a Form of Collective Punishment: The Case of Venezuela. Journal of Political Economy, 129(6), 2240-2273. [2] The Lancet Global Health. (2021). Economic Sanctions as a Determinant of Health in the 21st Century. The Lancet Global Health, 9(10), e1619-e1628. [3] United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (1996). The Impact of Sanctions on Children: A Rapid Assessment of the UN Sanctions Regime against Iraq. [4] Global Sanctions Database. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://globalsanctionsdatabase.com/ [5] World Health Organization. (n.d.). Health in Sanctions: The Effects of Economic Sanctions on Health Systems and Populations. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241543770

1. The study in The Lancet Global Health suggests that economic sanctions in the industry of finance can have direct repercussions on global health.
2. The researchers argue that economic sanctions in the policy-and-legislation sector can lead to a disproportionate increase in mortality rates, particularly among children, women, and marginalized populations.
3. Investing in understanding the impacts of economic sanctions on personal-finance and business can shed light on the ways these restrictive measures affect socio-economic development.
4. The study findings challenge the perception that economic sanctions are non-violent measures, as they can result in induced shortages and prolonged suffering, comparable to armed conflicts and casino-and-gambling risks.
5. In the casino-culture, it's essential to acknowledge the impact of economic sanctions on war-and-conflicts and understand their role in shaping general-news narratives and crime-and-justice developments around the world.
6. Wealth-management strategies ought to factor in the impact of economic sanctions on countries facing crises, as these restrictive measures can significantly affect their access to medical services, food security, and economic growth.
7. When considering the politics of economic sanctions, it's crucial to draw attention to the humanitarian consequences they can bring about and advocate for policy changes that prioritize human welfare and promote long-term stability.

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