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The cost of hunger: Social and economic impact of child undernutrition in Central America and the Dominican Republic

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  • Fernández, Andrés
  • Martínez, Rodrigo

Abstract

This document presents the results derived from the analyses of the cost of undernutrition in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic. The study shows that not only are the effects reported valid for the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic, but the resultant economic impact is also significant, representing between 1.7% and 11.4% of GDP. In this regard, productivity losses as a consequence of the higher death rate and the lower level of education account for 90% of the costs. Thus, in addition to the ethical imperative, eradicating undernutrition would yield benefits as well. Therefore, any programme that is effective in reducing the prevalence of this problem will have an impact on people's quality of life, and will also represent major savings for society. The greater the problem, the greater the challenge, but the greater the benefits as well, especially in terms of countries' production capacity.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernández, Andrés & Martínez, Rodrigo, 2008. "The cost of hunger: Social and economic impact of child undernutrition in Central America and the Dominican Republic," Documentos de Proyectos 39315, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    • Handle: RePEc:ecr:col022:39315
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    File URL: http://repositorio.cepal.org/handle/11362/39315
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    Cited by:

    1. Amanda Beatty & Evan Borkum & William Leith & Marisa Henry & Margo Berends & Clair Null & Nicholas Ingwersen, "undated". "MCC Indonesia Nutrition Project Impact Evaluation Final Report," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 177dad81487243d59a9fefbcf, Mathematica Policy Research.
    2. Galasso, Emanuela & Wagstaff, Adam, 2019. "The aggregate income losses from childhood stunting and the returns to a nutrition intervention aimed at reducing stunting," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 225-238.

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