Conversely, better health care and nutrition can improve the quality of life, increase longevity, bolster learning, and contribute to a strong and productive workforce. Poor health can trap households in extreme poverty due to reduced earnings and the costs of uninsured care, which diverts savings from productive investments.
For example, malnutrition reduces global economic output by an estimated 6 percent.
Girls and women also face particular challenges when it comes to health. Women who can plan their families are more likely to have fewer kids, be healthier, finish school, and participate in the workforce. As a result, those women and their families are less likely to be poor.
