2019 Light Touch Evidence Assessment Treating Children Close to Home

This evidence assessment evaluates the effectiveness of Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) of childhood illnesses—malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea—in low-resource settings, based on 13 published and two unpublished multi-country reviews. Conducted by Save the Children, the assessment explores six dimensions: effectiveness, acceptability, safety/risk, equity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

Findings reveal a medium volume of evidence supporting iCCM’s effectiveness in development contexts, with limited and inconsistent data from humanitarian settings. Acceptability and safety show high evidence volumes but mixed results, particularly regarding treatment coverage and quality of care. Equity and scalability face significant challenges, with limited proof of improved access or successful scale-up. Cost-effectiveness varies widely by context and program design. The assessment highlights limitations in the current evidence framework and suggests that dimensions such as efficacy, endorsement, and sustainability may be more appropriate for evaluating public health strategies like iCCM.