Poverty & Global Health: Preventing Injuries with Microfinances

Traumatic injuries are a growing global health problem with a disproportionate burden on developing countries. Microfinance loans are effective at reducing poverty in low-income countries by empowering female loan recipients to start small business ventures in their local communities. A growing body of evidence suggests that they indirectly benefit health and well-being, but limited research exists on their ability to prevent injury. This commentary explores the potential for microfinance loans to reduce injury rates and discusses challenges to implementing effective injury prevention programs using an example of pediatric burns from rural Nepal.