Using benefit-cost analysis, this article evaluates potential programs for reducing iron deficiency anemia, one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders. It discusses the origins and prevalence of anemia and reviews the literature on consequences of anemia for work capacity, output, learning, and other variables. Costs and benefits are estimated for two types of programs—medicinal supplementation and fortification of food with iron—and for three cases—Indonesia, Kenya, and Mexico. Estimates of benefits are calculated to include the value of additional work output in labor-surplus societies. Under a wide range of assumptions, the benefit-cost ratios are found to be substantially greater than 1: for dietary fortification ratios ranged between 7 and 70 for the three illustrative countries; for dietary supplementation, the range was from 4 to 38 on the most reasonable set of assumptions. The study concludes that field trials should be carried out to see if the findings of this study are supported in particular cases.