This document discusses the interactions between food systems and health in sub-Saharan Africa. It summarizes that food systems impact health through their effects on nutrient balance, disease risks from contamination, and occupational hazards. Challenges to improving health through food systems include single-sector institutions, lack of incentives for collaboration, and complexity. Suggested actions include health-oriented agricultural research, policy changes to support intersectoral work, and multidisciplinary training.

1. Food Systems and Health
in Sub-Saharan Africa
Per Pinstrup-Andersen
Cornell University
Presentation at the UN Headquarters
in New York and Organized by
the UN University Office in New York
November 12, 2010

2. Life Expectancy
Source: HDR 2006

3. Under Five Mortality Rate
(per 1000)
Source: HDR 2006

4. Prevalence of Underweight in
Preschool Children?
50
45
45
40
Percent of Children 0-5
35
30 27 27 28
25
20
15 16
15
10 7
5
5
0
CIS LAC E. Asia ME/NA Dev'ing S/E W/C S. Asia
Avg SSA SSA
Source: UNICEF 2006

5. Prevalence of Low Birth Weight
30
25
Percent of Births
20
15
10
5
0
OECD E. Asia LAT CIS S/E W/C Dev'ing SA
SSA SSA Avg
Source: UNICEF 2006

6. Health and Nutrition
Food Systems
Health and Nutrition

7. A Food System

8. Food System
HH Incomes
- level HH and
- fluctuations Individual
- composition Behavior
- control
Relative Prices
Time Allocation
Care, Breastfeeding
Preferences
Health Status

9. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and
Growth Retardation
Nutrient Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Food Health
Systems Status

10. Deaths Associated with
Malnutrition

11. The Triple Burden of
Malnutrition:
1. Energy and protein deficiencies: Hunger
2. Specific nutrient deficiencies: Hidden
Hunger
3. Excessive net energy intake: Overweight
& Obesity

12. Hunger Prevalence in Sub-
Saharan Africa
60
50
Suffering from Hunger
Percent of Population
40
30
20
10
0
West Central East South
Source: FAO 2006

13. Change in the Number of Hungry
People in SSA Countries
25
DR Congo
20
Change in Millions
15
1991-2002
10
5 Tanzania
0
DR Congo
Ghana
-5
Ethiopia
-10
Source: FAO 2006

14. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and
Nutrient Growth Retardation
Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance
Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Food Health
Systems Status
Food Safety
Water Safety
Contamination
Sanitation
•Microbial
Hygiene •Chemical
•Toxic Metals

15. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and
Growth Retardation
Nutrient Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Production and Processing
Systems
Food Health
Systems Status
Food Safety
Water Safety
Contamination
Sanitation
•Microbial
Hygiene •Chemical
•Toxic Metals

16. Agricultural Diversity
On-Farm Availability in Relative Prices
Consumption Local Markets
Diet Diversity
Health and Nutrition

17. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and Growth Retardation
Nutrient Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Production and Processing
Systems
Food Water-borne Diseases Health
Systems Status
Food Safety
Water Safety
Contamination
Sanitation
•Microbial
Hygiene •Chemical
•Toxic Metals

18. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and Growth Retardation
Nutrient Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Production and Processing
Systems
Food Water-borne Diseases Health
Systems Toxins and Allergens Status
Food Safety
Water Safety
Contamination
Sanitation
•Microbial
Hygiene •Chemical
•Toxic Metals

19. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and Growth Retardation
Nutrient Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Production and Processing
Systems
Food Water-borne Diseases Health
Systems Toxins and Allergens Status
Zoonotic Pathogens
Food Safety
Water Safety
Contamination
Sanitation
•Microbial
Hygiene •Chemical
•Toxic Metals

20. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and Growth Retardation
Nutrient Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Production and Processing
Systems
Food Water-borne Diseases Health
Systems Toxins and Allergens Status
Zoonotic Pathogens
Drugs and Medicinal Plants
Food Safety
Water Safety
Contamination
Sanitation
•Microbial
Hygiene •Chemical
•Toxic Metals

21. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and Growth Retardation
Nutrient Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Production and Processing
Systems
Food Water-borne Diseases Health
Systems Toxins and Allergens Status
Zoonotic Pathogens
Drugs and Medicinal Plants
Occupational Hazards
Food Safety
Water Safety
Contamination
Sanitation
•Microbial
Hygiene •Chemical
•Toxic Metals

22. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and Growth Retardation
Nutrient Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Production and Processing
Systems
Food Water-borne Diseases Health
Systems Toxins and Allergens Status
Zoonotic Pathogens
Drugs and Medicinal Plants
Occupational Hazards
HIV/AIDS
Food Safety
Water Safety
Contamination
Sanitation
•Microbial
Hygiene •Chemical
•Toxic Metals

23. Interactions Between Food Systems
and Human Health
Energy and Growth Retardation
Nutrient Reduced Disease Resistance
Balance Anemia
Blindness
Chronic Diseases
Production and Processing
Systems
Food Water-borne Diseases Health
Systems Toxins and Allergens Status
Zoonotic Pathogens
Drugs and Medicinal Plants
Occupational Hazards
HIV/AIDS
Food Safety Indoor Air Pollution
Water Safety
Contamination
Sanitation
•Microbial
Hygiene •Chemical
•Toxic Metals

24. Challenges to Achieve
Intersectoral Collaboration
 Single-sector orientation of:
 Policy making institutions
 Funding
 Training
 Research
 No incentive to focus on intersectoral issues
 Sector-specific paradigms

25. Challenges to Achieve
Intersectoral Collaboration
(Continued)
 Competition between sectors
 Complexity and capacity constraints
Source: von Braun, Ruel and Gillespie (Chapter 14)

26. Suggested Action
 Health-oriented food systems research and policy
 Biofortification
 Host-plant resistance
 IPM, ecological production methods
 Health implications of added chemicals post harvest
 Socio-economic and political economy analyses on
trade-offs and multiple-wins
 Apply most appropriate research methods

27. Suggested Action
(Continued)
 Institutional changes
 Inter-sectoral problem solving institutions
 Multidisciplinary training