The impact of development policies on health : a review of the literature

This book provides a critical review of currently available empirical evidence useful in assesssing the way in which policies for socioeconomic development can have an unitended negative impact on health.

Noting that conditions conducive to ill health are frequently created or aggravated by ill-conceived and improperly implemented development schemes, the book seeks to identify the likely causal associations between policy choice and health outcome and to offer advice on the consequences of different policy options.

Details range from reasons for the frequent failure of public housing projects to the simple observation that agricultural projects will have a positive effect on nutrition only where women participate in farm production.

Throughout the review, particular attention is given to policies that result in an exacerbation of poverty with severe health consequences for the very poor.