Publication: Protecting Human Capital from the Impact of Early Life Shocks : Key Interventions for Lower-Middle-Income Countries
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Date
2023-07-06
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2023-07-06
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This policy note presents strong evidence of the impacts of early childhood exposure to shocks on later life human capital outcomes in lower-middle-income countries, particularly in the Sahel region. It recommends key, evidence-based social protection interventions to mitigate these impacts and protect human capital as follows : cash transfers to improve child nutritional outcomes, particularly when combined with behavior change communication on water, sanitation and hygiene and hygiene practices; conditional cash transfers to increase educational outcomes, especially when monitored and reinforced; contributory schemes to mitigate the impact of shocks on asset loss and household expenditure, particularly health, livestock, and climate insurance schemes; food distribution interventions to mitigate the impact of shocks on nutritional and educational outcomes, particularly for children under–five, which is a critical period for growth and development; behavioral interventions to positively influence health and educational behavior and spending, especially nutrition education, academic nudges, and maternal psychotherapy interventions; and the success of these interventions requires context- and population-appropriate program design and implementation to maximize their effects on protecting human capital.
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“Lufumpa, Nakawala; Hilger, Anne; Ng, Odyssia; De la Brière, Bénédicte Leroy. 2023. Protecting Human Capital from the Impact of Early Life Shocks : Key Interventions for Lower-Middle-Income Countries. SASPP Policy Note Series; No.7, March 2023. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/39964 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
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