Helen Keller International
Vitamin A supplementation & nutrition programs reducing child mortality
Our editorial assessment
Helen Keller International has been operating for over a century, and their Vitamin A supplementation programme is one of the best-evidenced child survival interventions in global health. A Cochrane review of multiple randomised trials found that Vitamin A supplementation reduces all-cause mortality in children aged 6 months to 5 years by roughly 24%. At a cost of approximately $1.20 per child per treatment round, this is extraordinarily cost-effective. HKI also runs vaccination incentive programmes in West Africa that further boost their impact. Their longevity, scale (20+ countries), and consistent GiveWell recommendation make them a cornerstone of evidence-based giving.
The problem they're solving
Vitamin A deficiency weakens immune systems and is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness and death in low-income countries. Two doses per year — costing barely more than a dollar — can dramatically reduce mortality. HKI delivers these supplements through existing health infrastructure, making the intervention highly scalable.
About Helen Keller International
Helen Keller International runs evidence-backed Vitamin A supplementation programs that reduce child mortality in low-income countries by up to 24%.
Where your dollar goes
How this score was produced
The GiveWise score is our own editorial assessment, produced with a weighted rubric covering program spending, transparency and governance, evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, and leadership. It draws on publicly available reports from independent evaluators such as GiveWell, Charity Navigator, and CharityWatch, but it is not a rating issued or endorsed by any of those organisations. Read the full methodology →