Can the markets and the private sector tackle undernutrition amongst the poorest people?

Abstract

Undernutrition is the biggest worldwide health risk and accounts for roughly 45% of child deaths globally. Additionally, “hidden hunger” or deficiency in vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) affects to 2 billion people in the world.

Drawing on IDS research on Strengthening Agri-Food Value Chains for Nutrition, this infographic broadly explains why tackling malnutrition through market-based solutions often fails to reach the poorest people. The infographic looks specifically at mandatory large-scale food fortification, a common and economic approach to tackling undernutrition, and shows how the value chain approach to fortification can break down, resulting in nutritious food not reaching the poorest people.