Publications
While our publications are all listed here, they are easier to browse on our research page.
Impact of mosquito nets on fisheries
In April 2024, GiveWell commissioned Rethink Priorities to conduct research on mosquito nets. The aim was to briefly evaluate whether some nets that are distributed but not used could be causing harm if they are being used for fishing. This rapid research focused on whether greater demand for existing fish stocks could lead to depletion and disrupt long-term sustainability and food security, which we refer to as “overfishing”.
Research in Brief: The long-term income effects of childhood malaria cases
This research updated GiveWell’s previous literature review on the long-term income effects of childhood malaria to determine whether the assumption that income in adulthood decreases by 1% per childhood malaria case should be adjusted and whether any further evidence should be considered.
Research in Brief: Vitamin A usage in different countries
This summary aims to understand whether and how the “double treatment” parameter in GiveWell’s model on vitamin A supplementation should be updated, and to produce estimates for additional countries of interest.
Priority review vouchers for tropical diseases: Impact, distribution, effectiveness, and potential improvements
This report examines the Priority Review Vouchers (PRV) that the US government has issued under its Tropical Disease PRV Program, which provides financial incentives for research and development targeting neglected tropical diseases.
A review of GiveWell’s discount rate
The primary focus of this report is to review GiveWell’s current formulation of its discount rate by recommending improvements and reinforcing justifications for areas that do not require improvement.
An overview of WHO Prequalification: Process, usage, and potential improvements
The primary focus of the report is to provide a review of World Health Organization Prequalification (WHO-PQ). The researchers focused mostly on how it works and how it’s funded, as well as how it came about and how it could be improved for a greater global health impact.
An overview of the WHO Essential Medicines List: procedures, usage, and potential improvements
The primary focus of this report is to provide a review of the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List (EML). The researchers explain how the EML is developed and used, and how it could be improved for a greater global health impact.
Better weather forecasting: Agricultural and non-agricultural benefits in low- and lower-middle-income countries
This report is a “shallow” investigation commissioned by Open Philanthropy. This primary focus of the report is to assess weather forecasting as a potential agricultural intervention in low- and lower-middle income countries and to examine the cost-effectiveness of different interventions.
Exposure to Lead Paint in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
This report is a “shallow” investigation commissioned by GiveWell. The primary focus of the report is to provide an overview of what is currently known about the exposure to lead paints in low- and middle-income countries.
The REDD+ framework for reducing deforestation and mitigating climate change: overview, evaluation, and cost-effectiveness
The first of a two-part series on anti-deforestation initiatives, this report examines the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the REDD+ framework for reducing forest loss and degradation and for abating CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change.
How effective are prizes at spurring innovation?
This report is a “shallow” investigation and was commissioned by Open Philanthropy and produced by Rethink Priorities. Open Philanthropy does not necessarily endorse our conclusions. The primary focus of the report is a literature review of the effectiveness of prizes in spurring innovation and what design features of prizes are most effective in doing so. We also spoke to one expert. We hope this report galvanizes a productive conversation about the effectiveness of prizes within the effective altruism community. We are open to revising our views as more information is uncovered.