How can HNIs contribute to evidence-based philanthropy in India?

HNIs can play a catalytic role by funding high-impact programs backed by rigorous data, supporting better monitoring and evaluation, and helping shift the culture of giving in India toward one that’s strategic, accountable, and outcomes-focused.

Why is evidence-based philanthropy important for long-term change?

Because doing good isn’t enough—doing what works is what leads to real, lasting progress. By focusing on proven solutions, donors can ensure their support goes further and actually solves problems at scale.

How can I find credible organizations for evidence-based giving?

Start with trusted sources that do the heavy lifting for you—like our recommendations at Impactful Giving, which are grounded in rigorous research, cost-effectiveness analysis, and impact data.

Can technology improve evidence-based philanthropy in India?

Absolutely. From real-time data tracking to transparent reporting platforms, technology can make it easier to measure results, compare programs, and direct funds where they’ll have the most impact.

What are the challenges of evidence-based philanthropy in India?

Some nonprofits lack strong data, and tracking outcomes can be complex. But these aren’t deal-breakers. Donors can start small, fund impact measurement, and treat giving as a learning journey—improving over time with better evidence.

Can donating to lead poisoning prevention programs make a significant impact?

Yes—more than most people realise. Childhood lead poisoning in India is massive in scale, hugely underfunded, and completely preventable. Strategic donations to the right organisations can help shift national regulations, reform supply chains, and protect millions of children—often through one-time, systemic changes. This is an area where a relatively small investment can lead to long-term, large-scale outcomes.

How do I know if my child’s school is lead-safe?

Most schools in India aren’t regularly tested for lead. The biggest risks come from old paint, drinking water systems, and contaminated materials like toys or utensils. You can ask whether the school uses certified lead-free paint, whether the water has been tested, and whether learning materials meet basic safety standards. If the answers aren’t clear, it’s worth pushing for change. In this case, a little awareness goes a long way.

How do local governments help reduce lead poisoning?

Governments play a big role—but they often need a push. Regulations around lead in paint, cookware, toys, and cosmetics already exist in India. The problem is that enforcement is patchy, and there’s very little awareness. This is where your support can help: organisations like i-LEAP work directly with policymakers to strengthen regulations and make sure they’re actually followed. Sometimes, solving a public health crisis isn’t about more rules—it’s about getting the existing ones to work.

What kind of donation efforts directly help children affected by lead poisoning?

The most effective efforts are preventative. Once the damage is done, it’s often permanent—so stopping exposure before it happens is key. That means funding regulation, better supply chains, and public awareness in high-risk areas. If you want every rupee to go as far as possible, focus on stopping the exposure at the source.

Are there specific organisations working on lead poisoning?

Yes. Both are small and highly cost-effective. They aim to fix the system instead of treating the symptoms.i-LEAP (India Lead Elimination Action Partnership) builds the local evidence, pushes for smarter policy, and coordinates Indian efforts.LEEP (Lead Exposure Elimination Project) works globally, helping manufacturers and governments transition to lead-free paint and other safer products.

Can lead poisoning affect a child’s IQ?

Yes. Lead is a neurotoxin. Even low levels of exposure can permanently reduce IQ and affect memory, behaviour, and school performance. These effects aren’t just academic—they translate into lower lifetime earnings and poorer health outcomes. It is a devastating yet invisible risk facing our children.

Can lead poisoning be reversed?

Unfortunately, no. Once lead has entered a child’s body, especially at a young age, the cognitive and neurological damage is irreversible. That’s why prevention is so crucial. The good news is that we can prevent exposure affordably, effectively, and at scale. But only if we act early.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia - Challenges and Opportunities for Impact

Shrilaxmi Patil
Jul 3
6 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Anaemia seems like an almost omnipresent health challenge around the world. It is not something we hear about often, yet it affects many people - over 2 billion globally. Despite being such a large-scale problem, it is surprisingly underfunded. Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) is the most common type of anaemia, single-handedly responsible for more than half of all anaemia cases. It occurs when there is insufficient iron to create healthy red blood cells. Iron is a component of the protein haemoglobin, which is present in these cells and is responsible for supplying the body’s tissues and organs with enough oxygen to function normally. In India, one in three people has some form of anaemia. It is also a condition that affects some of the most vulnerable populations, who are often the ones with the least power to change their circumstances. I would argue that this means we have a moral imperative to act. Solutions exist, and iron deficiency anaemia is one public health issue we know how to treat and prevent through iron supplements and food fortification strategies. The organisations working on these solutions simply need more support.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia in India

Long story short, India has too many people suffering from a very preventable condition. According to the Global Burden of Disease, in India, around 31% of children under five, 36% of women, and 28% of the general population have some degree of iron deficiency. This scale is massive - around one-third of the population suffers from this condition, and it only goes to show the urgent need for interventions. These solutions must be evidence-backed and scalable to reach large swathes of the population.

Who is affected by Iron Deficiency Anaemia?

Although iron deficiency anaemia is a widespread concern, there’s a gender and age pattern that becomes apparent through the statistics. The people affected the most are primarily women and children.

Adolescent girls: Both menstruation and rapid growth are processes that increase iron needs, which often go unmet.
Pregnant women: Their iron needs are especially high, and if they’re already starting low, this is an additional risk factor.
Young children: Periods of rapid growth need iron for healthy development. A lack of iron in these formative years life can have major effects on cognition, physical growth, and energy levels.

Layered over this are factors like income and geography. Low-income families in rural areas are especially at risk because access to iron-rich food as well fortified food and supplements tends to be lower.

Effects of Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Nutrient deficiencies are sometimes perceived as minor issues. However, the impact of iron deficiency anaemia runs deeper, and its consequences are not just short-term health issues.

Maternal and child mortality: Anaemia increases the risk of death for mothers and babies during pregnancy and childbirth.
Impaired cognitive development: Iron deficiency in early childhood can have permanent effects on brain development. This leads to educational setbacks and issues at school.
Reduced productivity: Adults with anaemia are often too fatigued and unfocused to work effectively. This has effects on both families' livelihoods as well as the broader economy.
Heart problems: Iron deficiency anaemia over time can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat, and in some cases, even heart failure.
Psychological effects: Iron deficiency anaemia has also been linked to a higher risk of depressive symptoms.

Iron deficiency may seem small at first, but it is clearly linked to many other issues we care about - maternal health, child development and education, economic outcomes, and mental health.

How to Solve Iron Deficiency Anaemia

On the bright side, iron deficiency anaemia is exceedingly preventable and treatable. There is already research on evidence-based interventions that can be highly cost-effective while also reaching millions.

Iron Supplementation

The Government of India runs Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB), a large-scale programme that distributes iron and folic acid tablets. However, coverage can be improved..

Food Fortification

Fortifying staple foods like wheat flour with iron is a cost-effective and scalable intervention. One nonprofit doing great work in this space is Fortify Health. They partner with mills to add iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to wheat flour. This is an especially valuable intervention because it does not require much behaviour change, which is hard to influence. GiveWell, a highly rigorous impact-based charity evaluator, has conducted research that supports the cost-effectiveness of fortification, with strong evidence of reduced anaemia and improved health outcomes.

Dietary Diversification

Encouraging families to add more iron-rich foods like green leafy vegetables and pulses to their diets could also help, but affordability and awareness are challenges.

Deworming and Infection Control

Parasitic infections can worsen iron loss and absorption. Deworming is a low-cost, high-return strategy that complements other interventions.

High-Impact Opportunities to Tackle Iron Deficiency Anaemia

For Indian and global donors, especially those looking to make a big difference per rupee, supporting the ongoing efforts to reduce iron deficiency anaemia is a great opportunity. The scale is huge, the interventions are proven, and the cost per life changed is shockingly low. Here are a few concrete ways your donation can help:

Scaling up food fortification: Funding equipment and technical support for flour and rice mills to fortify their products can reach millions of people, especially the most vulnerable.
Supporting awareness and behaviour change campaigns to improve nutrition and supplement uptake.
Funding public health delivery systems: Supporting the people and organisations that ensure supplements and fortified foods reach the people who need them.
Investing in innovation and research: Developing new fortification methods, better supplements, and improved delivery models.

At Impactful Giving, we recommend donating to Fortify Health, which is a nonprofit that has already demonstrated some success in India by working with both the private sector and government to make fortified foods more widely available.

Why Now?

Now is the perfect time to act. Programs like Anaemia Mukt Bharat already exist and have laid the groundwork. Fortify Health has a proven intervention that is now scaling. But more resources are needed to continue this work and accelerate progress. By supporting evidence-backed solutions, donors can help India move closer to eliminating iron deficiency anaemia. This has the potential to improve health, education, and economic outcomes for millions of people. It is deeply yet quietly transformative.

Conclusion

We often think that impact has to be dramatic, like building hospitals or rescuing people from disasters. And these are important. But sometimes we forget that impact is also about preventing suffering before it happens. About helping someone not to have a complicated pregnancy. About letting a child grow up without brain fog. Maybe even about making sure someone has enough energy to go to school or show up at work or simply exist with dignity. If enough of us care about iron deficiency anaemia, this is a world that is possible for us to live in. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, we recommend donating to Fortify Health. Or maybe even just talking to someone about this issue. You’d be surprised how few people know. Impactful Giving is here to help you take your first steps in ensuring India's women, children, and families have healthier and brighter futures.

References

Iron Fortification | GiveWell

Anaemia | WHO

Fortify Health Blog

GiveWell - Fortify Health Grant

Impactful Giving | Fortify Health

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is iron deficiency so prevalent in India despite government programmes?

India has long-running programmes like Anaemia Mukt Bharat that provide iron and folic acid supplements. However, coverage and adherence remain inconsistent. Key barriers include limited awareness, weak last-mile delivery, and low prioritisation in overburdened health systems. In rural or underserved areas, access to fortified foods and consistent follow-up is also limited.

How effective is food fortification in reducing anaemia?

Fortifying food by adding nutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to staples like wheat flour is a proven and cost-effective intervention. Studies have shown reductions in anaemia and improved cognitive and physical outcomes, especially when fortified foods are consumed regularly. Fortification requires minimal behaviour change, which makes it especially effective at scale. GiveWell has identified Fortify Health’s work in this space as highly promising, with strong evidence and room for more funding.

Can dietary changes alone solve iron deficiency?

Dietary diversification is important, but it is not sufficient, especially for low-income families. Iron-rich foods, such as spinach and pulses, may be unaffordable or simply not part of the daily diet. This makes supplementation and fortification essential complements to dietary advice, especially in high-risk groups.

What can individuals do to support this cause beyond donating?

Raising awareness is a powerful starting point because so many people don’t realise how widespread or harmful iron deficiency is. You can talk to friends, share resources, or even advocate for iron fortification in your community or workplace. Supporting school meal programmes or maternal health outreach through volunteering or fundraising can also help. And if you work in government, food production, or healthcare, there may be direct ways to support fortification or supplement delivery at scale.