Malnutrition is the largest single underlying cause of death worldwide and is associated with over 1/3 of all childhood deaths. The objective of the document is to provide a summary of existing WHO information regarding the principles of identification and management of communicable diseases in malnourished populations. It addresses synergistic risk factors for communicable disease transmission and malnutrition, the prevention of morbidity and mortality due to communicable diseases in malnourished populations, and clinical considerations for the diagnosis and treatment of specific communicable diseases in malnourished patients.