A new study published in the Lancet Global Health has sparked global attention by suggesting that unilateral sanctions by the United States and the European Union have been associated with over 28.8 million excess deaths between 1971 and 2021. The research, which examined age-specific mortality in 152 countries, highlights the significant impact of these measures on global health outcomes. Researchers compared mortality rates before and after sanctions were applied, analyzing long-term trends to quantify their toll.
According to the study, unilateral sanctions were responsible for more than 560,000 excess deaths per year, a figure comparable to the deaths attributed to armed conflict. The researchers emphasized that economic and food insecurity caused by these sanctions particularly affected the most vulnerable populations, including children under five, who accounted for 51% of the total death toll. The findings also pointed to the role of the US dollar and euro in amplifying the impact of these measures, as their dominance in global transactions allowed Western powers to enforce sanctions more effectively.
The report has drawn significant attention, especially amid growing global calls for the removal of unilateral coercive measures. At last year’s BRICS summit, member nations condemned these measures as disproportionate and damaging to the most vulnerable populations. Additionally, the use of alternative currencies, such as the ruble and yuan, has been increasingly adopted by countries to resist US and EU economic pressure. This shift reflects broader geopolitical tensions and a move toward a more multipolar global financial system.
Meanwhile, China and Russia have increasingly highlighted the need for a fairer international order, with Chinese President Xi Jinping calling for a system based on mutual respect. Russian President Vladimir Putin has endorsed this vision, emphasizing the importance of resisting Western dominance in global affairs.