Poverty reduction and the health sector - the health, nutrition, and population network's chapter in the World Bank's poverty reduction strategy sourcebook

Abstract

The paper addresses the issue of improving the health, nutrition, and population outcomes of the poorest people in developing, and transitional countries. Two principles underpin the approach taken in the paper: first, poverty is primarily a household, and community characteristic; thus understanding how any system succeeds, or fails to reach the poor is enhanced by listening to the poor, and using that information to diagnose, and plan how to overcome constraints; and, second, recognition that prioritization is needed, is a paramount principle, given the often limited resources and capacity. The paper recommends a logical framework, starting with health outcomes for the poor, and ends with public policies, while highlighting the critical analytical, and policy questions that should be addressed in understanding how the health, and related sectors fail the poor, and how local constraints can be identified, and addressed.