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A Global Costing Study of the Health Burden of Violence Against Women and Violence Against Children
Sakshi Jain, Beverley M. Essue, Jack Cagney, Sujata Mishra, Felicia Marie Knaul et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This study estimates the global monetary cost of the health burden caused by violence against women and violence against children. It uses a welfare-based valuation method and combines prevalence, relative risk and burden data from WHO, UNICEF and the Global Burden of Diseases study. Results are given globally, by World Bank income group and by country. The authors conclude that the costs are very large and call for integrated violence prevention and stronger health systems, especially for mental health.
Key points
- The health burden of violence against women is valued at US $1.50 trillion, or 1.4% of global GDP.
- The health burden of violence against children is valued at US $1.98 trillion, or 3.97% of global GDP.
- Mental health conditions are the largest contributor to the economic burden across income groups.
- The study covers physical and sexual violence against children, and partner and non-partner violence against women.
- The authors call for integrated violence prevention strategies and stronger investment in health systems to support survivors.
Limitations
Only the abstract is available, so details on data quality, assumptions and country-level results are not visible. The study estimates the cost of the health burden only and does not evaluate any intervention.
Abstract
Background: Violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) are pervasive global health and human rights issues with severe health consequences. Burden estimates alone cannot inform policy without cost data, and existing analyses remain limited. This study addresses this gap by estimating the global cost of the health burden attributable to VAW and VAC. <div> <br> </div> <div> Methods: We used a welfare-based valuation approach to calculate the cost of the attributable health burden of intimate partner and non-partner (sexual and physical) VAW, and physical and sexual VAC. We analysed prevalence, relative risk, and burden estimates from the WHO, UNICEF, and Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study to estimate the attributable health burden of VAW and VAC for each country. Using value of statistical life estimates, we calculated the cost associated with each form of violence. Scenario analyses examined variations in relative risks, valuation approach, and country inclusion criteria. Results are presented globally, by 2023 World Bank income group, and by country. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Findings: The monetary value of the health burden of VAW and VAC is US $1·50 trillion (1·4% of global GDP) and US $1·98 trillion (3·97% of global GDP) respectively. Mental health conditions represent the largest contributor to the economic burden across income groups. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Interpretation: The cost of the health burden of VAW and VAC is staggering. Integrated violence prevention strategies and stronger investments in health systems are needed to support survivors, especially to address mental health burden. </div>