Living Goods

Abstract

Living Goods operates a network of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Uganda and Kenya who sell health and household goods door-to-door, providing basic health counseling. Their impact is primarily evidenced by a randomized controlled trial (RCT) showing a 27% reduction in under-5 mortality, though the full report is not yet publicly available. Living Goods collects ongoing monitoring data, but its quality raises concerns about learning from future work. The cost per life saved is estimated to be between $4,400 and $37,000, depending on assumptions. Living Goods seeks $10 million per year to scale up its program in Uganda, but faces a funding gap of $2-3 million annually. While the RCT demonstrates a significant positive impact, concerns remain about the reliance on a single study and the limited data on program monitoring. The funding gap also highlights uncertainties in the program’s future.