Providing a structured informational program about entitled health and social services to resource-poor rural villagers in India improved the delivery of these services to the people who may need them, according to a study in the October 24/31 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on poverty and human development.

At very young ages, children’s defiant behavior toward their mothers may not be a bad thing. This defiance may in fact reflect children’s emerging autonomy and a confidence that they can control events that are important to them.

The World Bank's Board of Directors approved on June 5th a US$150 million loan for Peru to improve results in health, nutrition and primary education by defining standards and setting goals for the outcomes families should expect for their children.