The Best Investment in Public Health? Nutrition
Few investments offer as high a return as nutrition. Ensuring that women and children receive adequate nutrition in the first 1,000 days—from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday—yields economic, social, and health benefits that far outweigh the cost. Prioritizing nutrition isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a wise economic decision.
That’s why we’re glad to see the world come together this week to recommit to fighting the global malnutrition crisis.
At the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Paris, global leaders and organizations pledged over $27 billion to combat malnutrition. Philanthropies stepped up to the challenge, pledging more than $2 billion in new commitments.
Proven Nutrition Interventions with High ROI
We know what works in nutrition. Decades of research have proven the efficacy of nutrition interventions like providing prenatal vitamins to pregnant women (multiple micronutrient supplementation or MMS), exclusive and prolonged breastfeeding, vitamin A supplementation, food fortification, access for everyone to an affordable healthy diet and to supplemental nutritional support (Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods or RUTFs) for malnourished children.
We know the problem is large. Half of all child deaths are caused by undernutrition. 1 in 3 people around the world cannot afford a healthy diet. Without sufficient protein, vitamins, and essential micronutrients, children remain at higher risk of illness, developmental delays, and long-term health issues.
And we know that nutrition is the smartest investment in public health, with the largest return on investment. Every $1 invested in nutrition yields $23 in economic returns. Malnutrition is a massive barrier to children achieving their educational and economic potential, but it also costs the world. Malnutrition can reduce a country’s GDP by up to 11% per year due to lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and diminished human potential. Preventing malnutrition is also significantly more cost-effective than treating its consequences. Stunting and micronutrient deficiencies increase the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, leading to billions in avoidable healthcare costs.
A Call to Action: Prioritize Nutrition Now
“Good nutrition is foundational to life and health, and it’s critical that we must marshal our resources to face this challenge.” – Dr. Nadra Franklin, Vice President of Global Nutrition at FHI 360
While the scale of the problem is large, there is cause for optimism: fewer children are dying from malnutrition than a few decades ago and the global stunting rate has halved since 1990. Investing in nutrition is an investment in stronger economies, healthier populations, and long-term stability. With continued investment, we can accelerate this progress.
During the Nutrition for Growth Summit, world leaders chose to commit to bold, evidence-based investments in nutrition. The choice is clear: investing in nutrition today builds a healthier, more prosperous tomorrow. The real question isn’t whether we can afford to invest in nutrition—it’s whether we can afford not to.