Geneva, 3 June (GAIN) – The Copenhagen Consensus 2008 lists the provision of micronutrients to 80% of 140 million malnourished children in developing countries as the best development investment.
At an estimated cost of US$ 60 million per year, the benefits in terms of improved health, reduced deaths, and increased income opportunities would be a staggering US$ 1 billion.
“It has immediate and important consequences for improving the wellbeing of poor people around the world - that's why it should be our number one priority,” said panel member and Nobel Laureate in economics Douglass C. North.
The fortification of salt with iodine and staple foods with iron comes in at number three on the list. An annual investment of US$ 19 million would deliver US$ 570 million in benefits.
The Copenhagen Consensus prioritizes solutions to pressing world challenges by evaluating their effectiveness, costs and benefits. This year, the final priority list was drawn up by eight leading economists, including five Nobel laureates, based on a range of studies.
“While this prioritization needs to be interpreted with care, we welcome the growing attention to the devastating impacts of malnutrition, and hope the evidence will lead to more investments in the cost-effective solutions at our disposal to fight it,” said Marc Van Ameringen, Executive Director of GAIN.
The provision of micronutrients to infants over six months of age and fortification of staple foods are two practical measures to fight malnutrition that are amongst the core activities of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.
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Copenhagen Consensus 2008
