Meeting the nutrition and water targets of the Sustainable Development Goals: achieving progress through linked interventions

Abstract

The CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) is a global research-for-development program connecting partners to deliver sustainable agriculture solutions that enhance our natural resources-and the lives of people that rely on them. WLE brings together 11 CGIAR centers, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the RUAF Foundation, and national, regional and international partners to deliver solutions that change agriculture from a driver of environmental degradation to part of the solution. WLE is led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and partners as part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

Risk reduction of diarrhea and respiratory infections following a community health education program - a facility-based case-control study in rural parts of Kenya

“…However, a trial from Bangladeshwith similar intervention arms as the study in Kenyareported reduction in diarrhea in all intervention arms, except the intervention arm receiving water treatment only [17]. Although some of these recent studies have reported no effect of the interventions tested, the benefits of WASH for diarrheal diseases and other health outcomes should not be underestimated [37,38]. The findings may also not be generalizable across all contexts and therefore should be viewed in light of the specific interventions and setting [37,39,40].…”

The Household Water InSecurity Experiences (HWISE) Scale: development and validation of a household water insecurity measure for low-income and middle-income countries

“…Specifically, the scale permits comparative studies that quantify the multiple components of water insecurity with higher resolution than currently possible, allowing for the identification of global inequities, as well as vulnerable sub-populations within communities. The scale also has the potential to identify determinants of water insecurity and assess the health, economic and psychosocial consequences of household water insecurity, including food insecurity 36. Furthermore, the scale could be used to monitor trends in water insecurity over time, such as how it is shaped by macro-level social, economic and political shifts; climatic variability; and local shocks, such as extreme weather events or contamination.…”

Water Security and Nutrition: Current Knowledge and Research Opportunities

“…Current global public health efforts could be more effective by addressing water and food insecurity jointly. For instance, there are Sustainable Development Goals for food and water, but none consider their many linkages; underappreciation of the interconnections between these 2 essential resources is significant given that improvements in one can be to the detriment of the other ( 2 ). Such delineations have contributed to disciplinary siloing, although coordination between the WaSH and nutrition sectors is needed to advance the goals of each ( 8 ).…”

“…Greater agricultural yields can increase a household's income, allowing individuals to purchase more (diverse) food ( 112 ). Further, irrigation technologies that produce clean water (e.g., desalination) can function as multiple-use water systems, meaning individuals can use the expanded water supply for other household needs, like water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) activities that ensure the safe handling and preparation of foods ( 2 ). Another potential mechanism of action is through expanded women's empowerment.…”

“…But the value of water extends beyond its physiological necessity. Reliable access to water in sufficient quantities and quality for a healthy life, or “water security” ( 1 ), is critical for agricultural food production and preparation, personal hygiene, and psychological well-being ( 2 , 3 ). In other words, water security creates an enabling environment for good nutrition.…”