The impact of aid sanctions on maternal and child mortality, 1990-2019: a panel analysis

This groundbreaking study represents the first comprehensive analysis of how aid sanctions affect population health outcomes globally. Using cutting-edge analytical methods and data from multiple international databases, we found that aid sanctions lasting five years or more can dramatically reverse decades of progress in maternal and child health.

Key Findings

• Maternal mortality: 64% reduction in progress when aid sanctions last 5+ years
• Infant mortality: 29% reduction in progress from long-term sanctions
• Under-5 mortality: 26% reduction in progress from sustained sanctions
• Greatest impact: Effects most pronounced in low-resource countries

Policy Implications

This research provides critical evidence for policymakers considering aid sanctions as foreign policy tools. The findings suggest that while sanctions may achieve certain political objectives, their humanitarian costs—particularly to vulnerable populations—must be carefully weighed in policy decisions.

Media Coverage

This research has been featured in major international media outlets, including TIME magazine, and has informed policy discussions at the United Nations regarding the humanitarian consequences of economic sanctions.