Nursing for Nutrition: Why we must invest in health workers to end maternal and child malnutrition

Malnutrition is an underlying cause of an estimated 45% of child deaths. Poor maternal nutrition is also a contributing factor to maternal, infant and child mortality. Building long-term, sustainable solutions to reduce malnutrition is therefore essential for child survival and ending preventable child deaths

The children at greatest risk of malnutrition are also the ones least likely to see a health worker. The global shortage of skilled health workers means that children in the world’s poorest countries don’t get the care that would stop them dying needlessly from causes related to malnutrition. To reduce malnutrition we need more health workers who are trained and supported to prevent and treat malnutrition in the places of greatest need.