IMPACT INVESTMENTS: THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

BERNICE ADDOM

Introduction

• Impact investments are investments with the intention of generating measurable social impact

•Any intervention intended to create impact must resonate with the beneficiaries’ specific contexts and priorities

• There must be a relationship between the intervention and the changes witnessed among beneficiaries

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Prevalence of Anaemia, All Women Aged 15-49 Years, 2011

FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT FINAL PROJECT BY BERNICE ADDOM 3Source: World Health Organisation 2015

Comparing Anaemia in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women

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2

146

3744

109

32

MILD MODERATE SEVERE

Number of Countries Categorized by Public Health Significance of Anaemia, 2011

Pregnant Women Non-Pregnant WomenSource: World Health Organisation 2015

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Prevalence of Anaemia and Numbers affected

among Women Aged 15-49 Years in Africa Region

Pregnant Women Non-Pregnant WomenPercentage (95% CI) a

Number (95% CI) a

Affected (millions)

Percentage (95% CI) a

Number (95% CI) a

Affected(millions)

46.3 (40.6-51.0)

9.2(8.13-10.1)

37.8(31.8-43.7)

69.9(58.8-80.7)

Source: World Health Organisation 2015

a CI = Credibility Interval

PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN AGED 6-59 MONTHS, 2011

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Source: World Health Organisation 2015

Severe Public Health Problem of Anaemia In Ghana, 2011

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76

62

56

6.5 2.8 3.6

CHILDREN PREGNANT WOMEN NON-PREGNANT WOMEN

Percentage of Anaemia with Blood Haemoglobin Concentration in Ghana, 2011

Hb <110g/L Hb <70g/L

Hb = Haemoglobin

Source: World Health Organisation 2015

Impact Investment for Public Good

•Higher quality interventions to tackle anaemia must be generated to attract more impact buyers and investors

• It is comparable to how a good commercial financial product attracts the attention of investors because of the prospects of superior returns

• Impact investment tailored to the health and well-being of women and children is for public good

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Returns on Investment in the Health and Well-Being of Women And Children

• Reduced maternal mortalities

• Reduced post partum haemorrhage

• Reduced pre-term deliveries

• Reduced peri-natal mortalities

• Reduced infections

• Reduced child mortalities

• Increased birth weights

• Increased quality of life

• Proper child developmentFINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT FINAL PROJECT BY BERNICE ADDOM 9

Conclusion

• Impact investment is needed for low-income and lower-middle-income countries, where private resources are limited and domestic resources are constrained

• These investment returns will guarantee achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030

• Impact investment is key for sustainable development

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