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Does ratification of human-rights treaties have effects on population health? | Journal Article / Research | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Research

Does ratification of human-rights treaties have effects on population health?

Palmer A, Tomkinson J, Phung C, Ford NP, Joffres M, Fernandes KA, Zeng L, Lima V, Montaner JSG, Guyatt GH, Mills EJ
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Abstract
Human-rights treaties indicate a country's commitment to human rights. Here, we assess whether ratification of human-rights treaties is associated with improved health and social indicators. Data for health (including HIV prevalence, and maternal, infant, and child [<5 years] mortalities) and social indicators (child labour, human development index, sex gap, and corruption index), gathered from 170 countries, showed no consistent associations between ratification of human-rights treaties and health or social outcomes. Established market economy states had consistently improved health compared with less wealthy settings, but this was not associated with treaty ratification. The status of treaty ratification alone is not a good indicator of the realisation of the right to health. We suggest the need for stringent requirements for ratification of treaties, improved accountability mechanisms to monitor compliance of states with treaty obligations, and financial assistance to support the realisation of the right to health.

Languages

English
DOI
10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60231-2
Published Date
06 Jun 2009
PubMed ID
19501746
Journal
Lancet
Volume | Issue | Pages
Volume 373, Issue 9679
Issue Date
2009-06-01
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