Results Most interventions combined microfinance with health education , which demonstrated positive effects on health knowledge and behaviours , though not health status .
Interventions combining multiple health components in a given study demonstrated positive effects , though it was unclear which component was driving the effect .
Discussion Integrated microfinance and health education programs were effective , though longer intervention periods are necessary to measure more complex pathways to health status .
The effect of microfinance combined with other health components was less clear .
Background Solutions delivered within firm sectoral boundaries are inadequate in achieving income security and better health for poor population s.  Integrated microfinance and health interventions leverage networks of women to promote financial inclusion , build livelihoods , and safeguard against high cost illnesses .
Our underst and ing of the effect of integrated interventions has been limited by variability in intervention , outcome , design , and method ological rigour .
This systematic review synthesis es the literature through 2015 to underst and the effect of  integrated microfinance and health programs .
Micro-Loans, Insecticide-Treated Bednets and Malaria: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Orissa (India)
Many severe health risks in developing countries could be substantially reduced with access to appropriate preventive measures . However , the associated costs are often high enough to restrict access among poor households , and free provision through public health campaigns is often not financially feasible . We describe findings from the first large-scale cluster r and omized controlled trial in a developing country context that evaluates the uptake of a health-protecting technology , insecticide-treated bednets ( ITNs ) , through micro-consumer loans , as compared to free distribution and control conditions . Numerous studies have shown that widespread , regular use of ITNs is one the most effective preventive measures against malaria . However , ownership rates remain very low in most malarious areas , including our study areas in rural Orissa ( India ) . Despite the un-subsidized price , 52 percent of sample households purchased at least one ITN  , leading to 16 percent of individuals using a treated net the previous night , relative to only 2 percent in control areas where nets were not offered for sale . However , the increase fell significantly short of the 47 percent previous-night usage rate achieved with free distribution . Most strikingly , we find that neither micro-loans nor free distribution led to improvements in malaria and anemia prevalence , measured using blood tests . We examine and rule out several plausible explanations for this latter finding . We conjecture that insufficient ITN coverage is the most likely explanation , and discuss implication s for public health policy
Results Most interventions combined microfinance with health education , which demonstrated positive effects on health knowledge and behaviours , though not health status .
Interventions combining multiple health components in a given study demonstrated positive effects , though it was unclear which component was driving the effect .
Discussion Integrated microfinance and health education programs were effective , though longer intervention periods are necessary to measure more complex pathways to health status .
The effect of microfinance combined with other health components was less clear .
Background Solutions delivered within firm sectoral boundaries are inadequate in achieving income security and better health for poor population s.  Integrated microfinance and health interventions leverage networks of women to promote financial inclusion , build livelihoods , and safeguard against high cost illnesses .
Our underst and ing of the effect of integrated interventions has been limited by variability in intervention , outcome , design , and method ological rigour .
This systematic review synthesis es the literature through 2015 to underst and the effect of  integrated microfinance and health programs .