Iodine deficiency has been linked with child mortality as well as permanent cognitive debilitation. Some references are on page 25 of the 2004 Copenhagen Consensus report on malnutrition; a WHO report paints a more vivid qualitative picture (page 6): In areas of iodine deficiency, where thyroid hormone levels are low, brain development is impaired. In… Read More

We were referred to the Against Malaria Foundation today. It’s the most transparent developing-world aid organization we’ve seen to date. AMF grants funds to NGOs that distribute insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to fight malaria. ITN distribution is a well-established method for saving lives and lowering the burden of malaria (see the “Insecticide-treated nets” section of the… Read More

In addition to choosing straightforward, cost-effective program-based interventions, we’re also planning to identify two regions to study in detail. I’ve focused on finding priority region 1: an area that has both high and drastic disease burdens and relatively stable, low-corruption environments in which aid can likely be productive. This post details the criteria I used… Read More

Below is our basic outline for identifying the best options for donors within developing-world health. (Economic empowerment and possibly other developing-world causes will come after we have completed our report on direct health interventions.) Focus on two priority regions and several priority interventions As this post explains, we are simultaneously taking two approaches: a region-based… Read More