Abstract
Economic sanctions restrict customary
commercial and financial ties between states to induce
change in political constitution or conduct of the targeted
country. Although the stated goals of sanctions often
include humanitarian objectives, prospective procedures
for health risk assessment are not regularly incorporated in
their implementation. Moreover, past experience suggests
that the burden of economic isolation may fall on the
civilian population. We present key findings from a WHOsponsored evidence review on the impact of economic
sanctions on health and health systems in low-income
and middle-income countries, aiming at comprehensive
coverage and explicit consideration of issues of causality
and mechanisms.