The results and lessons are presented from World Neighbors’ (WN) experience in formulating and applying an integrated approach to rural development. WN’s gradual adoption of this approach resulted from “people-centred” problem solving rather than from any response to preconceived agendas about demographics, resource conservation or health. The analysis indicates that for marginalised rural communities, the issues of livelihood, food security, natural resource use, family and community health, reproduction and family size are inextricably linked. Moreover, with suitable guidance and support, rural people are capable of analysing the multiple ways in which ecosystem components interact with community health.
