The human cost of economic sanctions and strategies for building health system resilience: A scoping review of studies in Iran

Abstract

ObjectivesThis review aimed to analyse the impacts of international economic sanctions on the overall health status of Iranians and the health system performance of Iran, in addition to identifying effective strategies for making the health system resilient to sanctions.Study designA scoping review.MethodsThree databases and grey literature were reviewed, and additional papers were identified in the lists of references. Two authors reviewed papers to check duplications and screen through inclusion/exclusion criteria. Furthermore, a narrative approach was employed to synthesise the findings.ResultsGiven overall health impacts, economic sanctions are believed to have adverse effects on Iranian's health and cause significant financial hardships in accessing healthcare services. These hardships mostly affect those in marginalised and vulnerable groups. Economic sanctions degrade Iran's health system by negatively impacting health services' availability. The detrimental effects of sanctions on economic and social circumstances were also documented. Economic sanctions could also adversely affect health research and education. Most strategies identified for health system resilience to sanctions are related to the health system governance.ConclusionsEven if essential medicines and supplies are exempted from the sanction regime, the impact of economic sanctions on public health is unavoidable. The quantification of the effect economic sanctions on different health‐related areas needs by further research. The measures identified for dealing with sanction can be considered in other countries but more work is needed to explore how health of people can be resilient against negative consequences of sanctions.

Constructing Equitable Health Resilience: A Call for a Systems Approach to Intersectionality

“…Resilience within the healthcare system is defined by its capacity to anticipate and respond effectively to emergencies whilst upholding its core functions. 1 These emergencies can range from acute challenges, such as sanctions, 2 wars, epidemics, and natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, to chronic issues like migration and drought caused by climate change. 3 Throughout such occurrences, those exposed to death, sickness, severe injuries, discomfort (such as malnutrition) and other health problems are the society’s most vulnerable and marginalized communities.…”

“…1 Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. 2 Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. 3 School of Business, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.…”

Private Health Insurance in the Post-Pandemic Era: Spatial Econometric Market Development Analysis

“…By doing so, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the factors that shape private health insurance markets in the aftermath of global health crises. Regarding international sanctions, the work of Sajadi et al [20] and Akbarialiabad et al [21] highlights their impact on healthcare systems. However, there is a scarcity of research on how these external pressures intersect with the private health insurance landscape.…”