Many of the rural poor that IFAD works for, suffer from hunger and disease. Malnutrition, chronic illnesses and untreated injuries undermine their efforts to make a living and pull themselves out of poverty. Physical and mental health are basic human necessities. Disease and hunger are not just the effects of rural poverty but also one of its main causes The incomes of rural workers depend on their capacity to stay healthy in body and mind. From early childhood, however, the rural poor are undernourished and exposed to infections (mainly water-borne). This vicious cycle can become virtuous by targeting rural poverty early in the life cycle. Improvements in child nutrition will result in better adult health, education and productivity, making a real difference in the lives of the poor.