Undernutrition is an underlying cause of nearly half of all deaths among children under five, and, in Africa, nearly one third of children are chronically undernourished. Chronic malnutrition – as indicated by stunted growth – is not completely reversed by optimized diet and reduced diarrhea. This has led to the hypothesis that a primary underlying cause of stunting – driving up to 40% of growth faltering – is subclinical gut disease and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED). Though EED is associated with unsanitary environments, interventions designed to interrupt these pathways have not shown any additional benefit to child growth, underscoring the need to investigate the role of livestock on the landscape. This symposium will engage multiple lines of inquiry surrounding the interaction of livestock, hygiene, sanitation, and child growth.
Thursday, March 1
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Chamber, ground floor Reitz Union