***Nutrition*** Malnutrition remains the world's most serious health problem, and the single biggest contributor to child mortality. Nearly a third of children in the developing world are either underweight or stunted, and more than 30% of the developing world's population suffers from micronutrient deficiencies. Unless policies and priorities are changed, the scale of the problem will prevent many countries from achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where malnutrition is increasing, and in South Asia where nutrition is large and improving only slowly. There are also new dimensions to the malnutrition problem. The existing epidemic of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases in developed countries is spreading to the developing world. Many poorer countries are now beginning to suffer from a double burden of under-nutrition and obesity. This phenomenon, which some have termed the "nutrition transition", means that their national health systems now have to cope with the high cost of treating diet related diseases at the same time as fighting the traditional communicable diseases. Malnutrition is also linked to the growing HIV/AIDS pandemic. Malnutrition makes adults more susceptible to the virus and inadequate infant feeding aggravates its transmission from mother to child; and there is increased evidence that malnutrition makes anti-retroviral drugs less effective. There is also clear evidence that the major damage caused by malnutrition takes place in the womb and in the first two years of life; that this damage is irreversible; that it causes lower intelligence and reduced physical capacity, which in turn reduce productivity, slow economic growth and perpetuate poverty; and that malnutrition passes from generation to generation, since stunted mothers are more likely to have underweight children. The May 2004 "Copenhagen Consensus" of eminent economists, which included a number of Nobel laureates, concluded that returns to investing in micronutrient programs is second only to the returns to fighting HIV/AIDS, among a lengthy list of ways to meet the world's development challenges. Other nutrition related interventions came within the top dozen proposals. The forthcoming Nutrition Economic Sector Work (ESW) document addresses these key issues in nutrition and represent consensus across the World Bank and its key partners on what needs to be done next. It was agreed that it was no longer a question of whether the World Bank, and the larger development community should respond, but how. Click here to read the Executive Summary. Related Links:
***Learning Resources***
***Publications*** New to the HNP (Health, Nutrition & Population) Discussion Paper Series: To see all World Bank HNP Publications & Reports click here. ++++++++++++ World Bank HNP Briefs are short notes on issues of operational interest, in the health sector. - PRSPs, Immunization Targets and Equity, February 2005 (PDF 80KB)
In Africa, many PRSPs include immunization coverage targets, and debt relief often provides additional funds to help achieve them. Joe Naimoli looks at some implications for immunization programs, and options for improving equity in immunization. Pharmaceuticals: Local Manufacturing, March 2005 (PDF 46.4KB) What factors must be weighed when deciding whether to promote local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in developing countries? Andreas Seiter's note summarizes pros, cons and key issues. Pharmaceuticals: Quality Assurance in the Distribution Chain, July 2005 (PDF 88kb)
Many health projects rely on a regular supply of quality pharmaceuticals. Here is a practical guide how to assure drug quality along the distribution chain and win the fight against substandard and counterfeit drugs, which otherwise harm people's health and undermine the success of major treatment programs.
++++++++++++ The Malaria Knowledge Programme at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has produced five new policy papers based on recent research. Gender perspectives in malaria management
http://www.liv.ac.uk/lstm/majorprogs/malaria/documents/Genderperspectives.pdf Gender roles and relations within the household are of crucial importance to the management of childhood malaria. Women’s access to resources and their bargaining power within the household have a significant influence on their treatment seeking behaviour for children with malaria. MKP supported district level government workers to conduct a situational analysis using qualitative and participatory research methods to explore gender perspectives. This contributes to a growing body of knowledge of the importance of using gender analysis in malaria management. Gender mainstreaming in health: the possibilities and constraints of involving district-level field workers
http://www.liv.ac.uk/lstm/majorprogs/malaria/documents/Gendermainstreaming.pdf The involvement of district-level workers in local-level practical approaches to mainstreaming gender in health is central to facilitating change and informing health strategies. MKP led a project in Ghana to facilitate District Level Health Management Teams and district-level field workers to conduct qualitative and participatory research on gender aspects of access to health care for malaria. The results have informed strategies to improve gender equity in health at the community level. Malaria over-diagnosis in Africa
http://www.liv.ac.uk/lstm/majorprogs/malaria/documents/Over-diagnosis.pdf In Africa, 70% of fever cases in children are diagnosed in the home and treated with traditional remedies or drugs bought from local shops. These fevers are presumed to be due to malaria, but comparison of accurately diagnosed cases of malaria with presumed cases reveal shockingly high rates of over-diagnosis. Selecting appropriate antimalarial drugs: a model for policy makers http://www.liv.ac.uk/lstm/majorprogs/malaria/documents/drugsmodel.pdf Malaria deaths are increasing globally, mainly because the parasites that cause malaria are becoming resistant to the most commonly used drugs. A new model based on data from the field can help to predict the effective lifespan of a drug before widespread resistance develops. Enhancing research uptake through communication, networking and capacity development
http://www.liv.ac.uk/lstm/majorprogs/malaria/documents/Enhancingresearchuptake.pdf The work of the Malaria Knowledge Programme demonstrates excellent research practice and addresses a number of issues that are relevant to anyone undertaking research on development. All Malaria Knowledge Programme policy papers can be found at http://www.liv.ac.uk/lstm/majorprogs/malaria/outputs.htm For more information please contact Alison Dunn, Research Officer - Exchange / Healthlink Worldwide dunn.a@healthlink.org.uk
***Cool Websites & Tools*** - The World Bank's Nutrition Toolkit aims to help World Bank staff design and supervise effective and feasible nutrition projects and project components and to carry out comprehensive analysis of sectoral and policy issues affecting nutrition. The kit contains twelve tools, and can be ordered through the Nutrition Adivsory Service (202-473-2256, nutrition@worldbank.org). Summaries, parts of the documents and in some cases the complete document can be retrieved from the World Bank Nutrition website (www.worldbank.org/nutrition).
- The World Bank Avian Flu Website in East Asia will provide updates and guidelines, as well as background information and links to additional resources.
***Conferences and Training*** - Strengthening the Essential Public Health Functions: A distance learning technical course aimed at building capacity in managing the public health sector
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 15
DATES: TRACK 1:October 5 - November 9 2005, TRACK 2: November 23 - December 21 2005 and TRACK 3: January 4 - February 1 2006.
- Accelerating the Progress Towards the Health MDGs and Other Health Outcomes
November 28 - December 9, 2005
The World Bank Washington, DC
- 4th Annual Conference International Society for the Prevention of Tobacco Induced Diseases Conference: Biologic Effects & Public Health Impact of Tobacco
September 30 - Oct. 2, 2005
Athens, Greece
- Public Health in Complex Emergencies Training Program
November 7-19, 2005
Kampala, Uganda
- Tracking Progress in Child Survival: Countdown to 2015
December 13 - 14, 2005
Beveridge Hall, Senate House, University of London
Please visit us at http://www.worldbank.org/hnpflash to access this newsletter with active web links, as well as an archive of earlier editions.
HNPFLASH Issue No. 54, August, 2005
Electronic Newsletter and Archiving Service on Health, Nutrition and Population
Erika Yanick, Editor
Miyuki Parris, Co-Editor
The World Bank Human Development Network
E-mail: hnpflash@worldbank.org |
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