Fact Check: Structural violence causes 10 to 20 million excess premature deaths annually.

Fact Check: "Structural violence causes 10 to 20 million excess premature deaths annually."

What We Know

The claim that "structural violence causes 10 to 20 million excess premature deaths annually" is rooted in the concept of structural violence, which refers to harm inflicted by social structures or institutions that prevent individuals from meeting their basic needs (source-2). This form of violence is often linked to social injustices, such as poverty, racism, and inequality, which can lead to significant health disparities and premature mortality (source-3).

A specific source states that due to the current social and economic structures, particularly the divide between rich and poor, the excess death rate attributed to structural violence is estimated to be between 10 and 20 million per year (source-4). This figure is said to exceed the combined death rates from suicide, homicide, and warfare, suggesting a substantial impact of structural violence on public health.

Analysis

While the claim presents a striking statistic, its validity hinges on the reliability of the sources that provide these estimates. The source asserting the 10 to 20 million figure is a blog post that discusses structural violence in the context of capitalism and its effects on mortality (source-8). Although it references broader academic discussions on structural violence, the lack of peer-reviewed data or comprehensive studies to substantiate the specific number raises questions about its accuracy.

In contrast, a peer-reviewed article from the American College of Surgeons examines mortality disparities in San Francisco neighborhoods, highlighting the significant impact of social factors on health outcomes (source-1). However, this study does not provide a global estimate of deaths due to structural violence, nor does it support the specific claim of 10 to 20 million excess deaths.

Moreover, the concept of structural violence itself is well-established in sociological literature, with Johan Galtung being a key figure in its development (source-2). However, while Galtung's work emphasizes the lethal nature of structural violence, it does not quantify the number of deaths it causes on a global scale.

Overall, the claim lacks corroboration from robust, peer-reviewed sources that can provide a comprehensive analysis of excess deaths attributable to structural violence. The reliance on a single blog post for such a significant statistic diminishes its credibility.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that structural violence causes 10 to 20 million excess premature deaths annually is unverified due to the lack of solid, peer-reviewed evidence supporting this specific figure. While structural violence is a recognized concept that contributes to health disparities, the estimates provided are not sufficiently backed by reliable data.

Sources

1. The Structural Violence Trap: Disparities in Homicide ...
2. Structural violence
3. Causes and cures VII: Structural violence
4. Structural Violence - persagen.org
5. Structural Violence
6. Clinicians' Need for an Ecological Approach to Violence ...
7. Structural Violence - Wiley Online Library
8. Excess Deaths Attributable to Capitalism - Philosophics