Beyond Tariffs and Tensions: A Healthier Tomorrow

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. David Reyes Guerrero is a recent medical graduate from the University of Cádiz, Spain. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

We are currently living in a time of increasing international tensions, with conflicting political and vital interests between different nations. Situations such as pandemics, economic crises, wars and migration create a series of conditions that make a common international order more difficult to achieve. These differences ultimately have a number of consequences, including trade wars. A war that seems far removed from citizens and everyday reality, but which directly affects many aspects of society, such as trade, tourism, technology and, of course, health.

With the evolution of technology and in the era of digitalisation, the ways in which countries defend their interests have also had to adapt. However, trade war strategies have existed in different forms since the beginning of wars, precisely because of the impact they can have. Establishing tariffs, trade restrictions and even carrying out cyberattacks or manipulation strategies between countries ends up damaging the structures of each country, which also has long-term impacts.

One of the consequences that can most affect our societies is the impact of these trade restrictions and strategies on the health of our populations. On one hand, trade instability itself leads to job losses and the erosion of the commercial fabric, which ultimately has negative consequences for the mental health of the population, such as increased rates of anxiety or depression. The problems caused to obtain healthcare resources in this type of scenario will also lead to a decrease in the life expectancy of the affected population. In addition, economic cuts will also affect epidemiological surveillance and infection control systems, which could have devastating consequences. Finally, all these problems will end up increasing the demand for healthcare services and, therefore, widening the economic gap created by the trade war.

International cooperation policies must be established to mitigate the impact of these conflicts on health. To this end, the focus must first be placed on preventive measures that establish limitations when setting tariffs or trade restrictions so that the impact on health systems is as minimal as possible. Furthermore, efforts and investment must be made in systems for analysing the consequences of past and current conflicts, so that we can work with up-to-date, accurate and verified information. Despite the great difficulty involved in these measures, it is urgent and a priority for the parties involved to take action for the future of global health and universal health coverage.

About the author

David Reyes Guerrero is a recent medical graduate from the University of Cádiz, Spain. He is an active member of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations with three years of experience in various local, national and international initiatives. His vision and passion for health goes beyond classrooms, hospitals and borders, always fighting for universal health coverage and the improvement of medical education. For him, health and political impact always go hand in hand.