Simple and effective methods for helping people that nonprofits often ignore (with Kanika Bahl)

Apr 30, 2025 1h 7m 13 insights Episode Page ↗
Kanika Bahl, CEO and President of Evidence Action, discusses why simple, cost-effective interventions like safe water and deworming are often underfunded. She highlights the importance of leveraging government systems and minimizing behavior change for scalable impact, while also addressing challenges in donor incentives and program evaluation.
Actionable Insights

1. Implement Dual Syphilis-HIV Testing

Integrate dual testing for maternal syphilis alongside existing HIV tests in antenatal clinics. This low-cost intervention (35 cents per test, under 50 cents for penicillin) can prevent 80% of severe outcomes from a neglected disease.

2. Minimize Intervention Behavior Change

Design interventions to require minimal behavior change from recipients or implementers. This approach enhances tractability, reduces drop-off rates, and significantly increases the likelihood of successful, large-scale impact.

3. Partner with Governments for Scale

Prioritize collaborating with governments to scale interventions, as their existing infrastructure, political will, and funding provide an unparalleled platform for reaching vast populations effectively.

4. Utilize Existing Delivery Platforms

Identify and leverage existing, easily accessible platforms, such as schools for deworming, to efficiently reach target populations. This simplifies intervention delivery and maximizes overall impact.

5. Prioritize Invisible High-Impact Solutions

Focus on implementing ‘invisible’ yet highly effective solutions like water chlorination. These interventions can save many lives at low cost (e.g., $1.50 per person per year), even if public demand isn’t immediately apparent.

6. Verify Last-Mile Intervention Delivery

Actively confirm that interventions are effectively delivered at the ’last mile’ by examining records and ensuring individuals receive tests and treatments. This ensures actual impact rather than solely relying on general medical literature for efficacy.

7. Transparently Shut Down Ineffective Programs

Continuously test programs at scale, be transparent about all results (including failures), and be willing to shut down programs that prove ineffective. This builds trust with stakeholders and ensures optimal resource allocation.

8. Secure Flexible Funding and Reserves

Seek flexible, unrestricted funding and maintain financial reserves to cover operational costs and allow for strategic adjustments or program closures without existential risk. This enables more principled and optimal decision-making.

9. Prevent Anemia with Supplements

Implement programs for anemia prevention and treatment using low-cost iron and folic acid supplements. This simple intervention can significantly boost children’s cognitive function (IQ scores by 4-5 points) and future productivity.

10. Combine Diverse Evidence Types

Adopt a Bayesian approach to evaluating interventions by synthesizing multiple types of evidence, including randomized control trials, medical literature, and field observations. This helps make informed decisions while acknowledging the complexity and limitations of each evidence source.

11. Evaluate Holistic Economic Benefits

Assess interventions not only by their immediate health outcomes but also by their broader, long-term economic benefits. This includes increased productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and improved educational attainment, which can unlock human potential.

12. Combine Stories and Statistics

To appeal to a wider donor base, effectively combine compelling statistics about cost-effectiveness and economic benefits with accessible, real-world stories of impact. This dual approach can be more persuasive than relying solely on one or the other.

13. Use Conservative Impact Estimates

When modeling the impact of interventions, especially in situations with significant uncertainty (e.g., future benefits or unprecedented scenarios), always use conservative estimates. This helps avoid overstating potential outcomes and maintains credibility.