Nutrition, Health, and Economic Development: Some Policy Priorities

Most developing countries face different resource and infrastructural constraints that limit their economic growth. Nutritional deficiencies, poor environmental conditions, and inadequate educational infrastructure hamper children's learning, which is critical for the future supply of skilled labor and hence for economic development. There is a need to assign priorities for resource allocation among nutritional, health-care, and educational policies. This paper draws implications from several studies using data from less developed countries within a multidisciplinary framework. It concludes that iron supplementation of pregnant women and access to family-planning services are likely to enhance maternal and infant health. Where iodine deficiency is endemic, iodized salt is important for preventing cognitive damage to the fetus. Higher intakes of protein and micronutrients such as iron are important for children's physical growth, morbidity, and learning. Improved sanitation and vaccines against infections will prevent loss of vital nutrients. Investments in educational infrastructure, including adult literacy programs, are beneficial for children's cognitive development. Nutrition and health policies based on long-term considerations will lead to a well-trained labor force enabling non-resource-rich developing countries to escape from poverty traps.