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Review
. 2021 Mar 8;104(5):1620-1624.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1129.

A One Health Approach to Child Stunting: Evidence and Research Agenda

Radhika Gharpure  1 , Siobhan M Mor  2   3 , Mark Viney  4 , Tinashe Hodobo  5 , Joanne Lello  6 , Joyce Siwila  7 , Kululeko Dube  8 , Ruairi C Robertson  9 , Kuda Mutasa  10 , Cedric N Berger  6 , Mitsuaki Hirai  11 , Tim Brown  12 , Robert Ntozini  10 , Ceri Evans  9   10 , Patience Hoto  8 , Laura E Smith  10   13 , Naume V Tavengwa  10 , Mathieu Joyeux  11 , Jean H Humphrey  10   14 , David Berendes  1 , Andrew J Prendergast  9   10   14
Affiliations
Review

A One Health Approach to Child Stunting: Evidence and Research Agenda

Radhika Gharpure et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. .

Abstract

Stunting (low height for age) affects approximately one-quarter of children aged < 5 years worldwide. Given the limited impact of current interventions for stunting, new multisectoral evidence-based approaches are needed to decrease the burden of stunting in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Recognizing that the health of people, animals, and the environment are connected, we present the rationale and research agenda for considering a One Health approach to child stunting. We contend that a One Health strategy may uncover new approaches to tackling child stunting by addressing several interdependent factors that prevent children from thriving in LMICs, and that coordinated interventions among human health, animal health, and environmental health sectors may have a synergistic effect in stunting reduction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of their institutions.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Evidence to support the need for a One Health approach to stunting.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Proposed research agenda to fill knowledge gaps for a One Health approach to stunting. LMICs = low- and middle-income countries.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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