Improving nutrition in developing countries: can primary health care help?

Protein energy malnutrition and deficiencies of iron, vitamin A and iodine affect millions of people in developing countries. In most cases, deficiency syndromes occur as a result of the interaction of environmental, social and economic factors which affect food availability, requirements and utilization. It is often claimed that primary health care technologies will have striking effects on nutrition. This article reviews some of the constraints that need to be overcome if primary health care is to have a greater nutritional impact in the future.