Reassessing the health impacts of trade and investment agreements: a systematic review of quantitative studies, 2016–20

The authors conduct a systematic review of quantitative studies of the health impacts of trade policies, including trade and investment agreements (TIAs). Methodologically strong studies found reduced child mortality, deteriorating worker health, rising supplies of sugar, ultra-processed food, tobacco, and alcohol supplies, and increased drug overdoses following trade reforms, compared with the time periods before trade reform. However, associations varied substantially across contexts and socioeconomic characteristics.

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