Food and Health in the Asia-Pacific: The Economics of Access and its Implications for Health

This is the first of a two-part NTS Alert series that will explore the intersection between food security and health issues in the Asia-Pacific. This NTS Alert focuses on health problems stemming from the enduring challenge of maintaining adequate levels of food across multiple populations living in diverse conditions. Shortcomings in food access still plague many areas in the region and create pervasive and wide-ranging problems for public health. The second NTS Alert, to be released later this month, will explore the potential health impacts of high-tech agricultural strategies and modern food distribution systems that are advocated by many as being the keys to improving food security throughout much of the region.