Providing good quality education to all children in the poorest
countries of the world is not a simple task. However, improving
children's health and nutrition is one simple step that can be taken
towards achieving this goal. Health and nutrition programs offer
substantial benefits to children's education, helping them to attend
school and learn while there. What is more, the education of the poorest
in society benefits the most from such programs because the poor are
more likely to suffer from ill health or poor nutrition and are also
more likely to experience a disruption in their learning as a result.
School health and nutrition programs make use of the education system to
deliver simple treatments for common conditions. The result is a highly
cost-effective way to reduce inequalities in education and to help all
children around the world reach their educational potential. This
argument is examined through a discussion of the challenges to child
health and nutrition and the impact of these on education and an
analysis of the costs, benefits and policy options involved in the
implementation of health and nutrition programs in schools. Providing a
simple and achievable solution to improving access, gender equity and
the quality of basic education, this book will be essential to policy
makers, educational and health organizations and researchers in
international development, public health, psychology and education.
