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

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Malnutrition is an underlying cause of almost half of all child deaths.

Health workers have a vital role to play in promoting good maternal and child nutrition, particularly during the crucial 1,000 day window: they are the bridge between the life-saving nutrition interventions and the children who need them.

However, 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 from causes related to malnutrition.

We need more health workers who are trained and supported to prevent and treat malnutrition in the places of greatest need.