2020 will be remembered as a year the world radically changed, but it was also a year that reminded us of the importance of fundamental structures and systems. Now, as much as ever, strengthening the nutrition data value chain (DVC) is needed to address the challenges COVID-19 crisis poses to food, nutrition, and health globally. During 2020, DataDENT partners—the Johns…
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Evidence and lessons on improving data use and quality in India’s nutrition program
To strengthen nutrition information systems and improve nutrition outcomes in India, we must improve data quality and facilitate the use of data at all levels. This was the theme of one of the key thematic sessions at ‘Delivering for Nutrition in India: Insights from Implementation Research 2020’, a virtual event co-hosted by Partnerships and Opportunities to Strengthen and Harmonize Actions…
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Together for Nutrition: West African Data Forum Call to Action
In February 2020, DataDENT in collaboration Transform Nutrition West Africa (led by International Food Policy Research Institute), UNICEF, Countdown to 2030, CDC, WHO, WAHO, and NIPN co-convened Together for Nutrition: West African Data Forum. The convening had the following objectives: 1. Share national and regional achievements and challenges in operationalizing the data value chain for nutrition 2. Strengthen connectivity, coordination,…
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Data for Nutrition webinar – New data for nutrition: Updates to the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS)-8 Questionnaires
Over the past several months, DataDENT has been facilitating the launch of the Data for Nutrition (DfN) Community of Practice. DfN provides community members with opportunities to share knowledge, experience, evidence, and questions related to how we can strengthen the nutrition data value chain at all levels—global, regional, national, sub-national, institutional. Currently in a soft launch phase, DfN hosted its…
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Has the revolution arrived? Why 2020 is a crucial year for nutrition data
Last month, DataDENT authored a guest blog post for the Global Nutrition Report highlighting the role of nutrition data to accelerate equitable progress towards reducing malnutrition. Read our article here!
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The Case of the Missing Data
The Global Nutrition Report (GNR) is one of the most widely used sources of nutrition data. The GNR reports on progress against global nutrition targets in 194 countries. In October 2019, GNR launched updated Country Nutrition Profiles. Note: In May 2020, GNR launched the 2020 report. The list of “no data” countries in the 2020 report matches the list shared in…
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How can we better support countries to build and maintain nutrition data and information systems?
The first Global Nutrition Report (GNR) in 2014 called for a “data revolution” in nutrition, recognizing that data investments are needed to enable countries to design and implement effective policies and programs, mobilize resources, and monitor progress. While some progress has since been made to improve nutrition data, current efforts are still insufficient. The 2020 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit…
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Overview of WHO’s Essential nutrition actions: mainstreaming nutrition through the life-course
This week at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), UN Member States adopted a landmark declaration on universal health coverage (UHC). Improving integration of nutrition interventions within health services is a key component of UHC and tackling malnutrition across all life stages. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines UHC as all people and populations having access to primary health care…
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The power of the spotlight: Data in global nutrition advocacy
In the past decade, the availability and use of data have shed light on the importance of addressing malnutrition to improve human health and well-being. At the same time, high profile advocacy events have pushed the nutrition profile even further. Hand-in-hand, data and advocacy have increased the attention, policies and resources directed towards improving nutrition. The year 2012 was…
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Similar but not the same: The challenge of comparing indicators across nutrition data tools
Nursing mothers wait outside the antenatal unit at Orolodo primary health centre before the start of a family planning visibility parade in Omuaran township in Nigeria’s central state of Kwara. © 2012 Akintunde Akinleye/NURHI, Courtesy of Photoshare High-quality nutrition data is critical for country stakeholders, advocates, funders, and many others to assess needs, measure progress, and ultimately make decisions to…