Micronutrient malnutrition, defined as insufficient intake of key vitamins and minerals, affects one in two children and two in three women worldwide.
The Micronutrient Forum’s 7th Global Conference, taking place Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in Accra, Ghana, is examining ways to address micronutrient deficiencies amid climate shocks, disruptions to food systems, conflict and declining development financing. The conference theme is “Nutrition at the Frontiers of a Changing Environment.”
Track B of the conference focuses on program implementation and effectiveness, examining what works, for whom and under what conditions. The track considers how interventions can be designed, implemented and scaled to improve micronutrient outcomes.
The track also expands beyond a traditional health-systems focus to examine contributions from social protection, agriculture and food systems. Researchers, implementers and decision-makers are considering how different systems and delivery models can produce sustained improvements.
With funding for nutrition programs increasingly constrained, the conference is emphasizing strategic use of existing resources. A Track B plenary session, “Doing Better with Less: Optimizing Investments for Nutrition Impact,” is addressing ways to align sectors and disciplines to improve program design and delivery.
The conference also is examining the role of national and regional leadership in nutrition programs. Sessions on localization for nutrition system resilience are considering approaches that elevate local expertise, align programs with national policies and strengthen engagement among stakeholders, policymakers and consumers.
Data is another focus of Track B. Evidence gaps in many regions can limit the ability to understand nutritional needs, target interventions and measure their impact. The plenary session “Safeguarding Data for Nutrition Amid Funding Constraints” is examining how the nutrition community can protect data assets, systems and capabilities while adapting to changing funding conditions.
The conference brings together efforts focused on investment, local leadership and data as interconnected elements of effective nutrition programs. Track B is exploring how greater collaboration among sectors, disciplines and organizations can help address micronutrient deficiencies and strengthen the scalability and impact of nutrition interventions.
Source: International Food Policy Research Institute, "Strengthening nutrition programs in a changing world: A preview of Track B at the Micronutrient Forum 7th Global Conference"