Abstract
Setting priorities, targeting subsidies among water, sanitation, and preventive health interventions in developing countries (HTML)
Whittington,Dale; Jeuland,March; Barker,Kate; Yuen,Yvonne
World Development 40(8): 1546-1568
Publication date: 2012
The paper challenges the conventional wisdom that water and sanitation improvements and other preventive health interventions are always a wise economic investment. Costs and benefits are presented for six water, sanitation, and health programs- handwashing, sanitation, point-of-use filtration and chlorination, insecticide-treated bed nets, and cholera vaccination. Model parameters are specified for a range of conditions that are plausible for locations in developing countries. We find that the parameter findings needed for such cost-benefit calculations are not available for setting global priorities. We reflect on the implications of our findings for more "evidence-based" planning of public health and development interventions.
What's New
For 60 years, the Population Council has changed the way the world thinks about important health and development issues. Explore an interactive timeline of the Council's history, learn more about some of our key contributions, and watch a short video about why your support is so important to us.
Get Involved
- Make a contribution to the Population Council
- Honor a loved one with a gift in his or her name
- Sign up to receive e-mail announcements
Connect
