News
Announcements
Read recent IYCN announcements and updates below. Check back frequently to see what’s new.
Educating US policymakers on maternal and child health
Altrena Mukuria at the congressional briefing on May 25, 2010. |
May 2010
The Infant & Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) Project’s Altrena Mukuria educated lawmakers, policymakers, and global health colleagues on the role of health systems strengthening in reducing maternal and child mortality and morbidity in low-income countries during a May 25 congressional briefing in Washington, DC. The briefing—“Is Health Systems Strengthening the Answer to Improving Maternal Health?”—is the first in a new policy discussion series organized by PATH, the Global Health Council (GHC), and Management Sciences for Health (MSH).
Dr. Mukuria highlighted the important work being done by the IYCN Project to improve health systems and increase the capacity of health workers, as well as how health systems are integral to improving the health of women and children throughout the world. Panelists joining Dr. Mukuria for the discussion included Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Richard Greene of the US Agency for International Development, and Dr. Paul Waibale of MSH. Dr. Jeff Sturchio, the GHC’s president and CEO, moderated the discussion. Speakers discussed how health systems strengthening not only creates better health programs but also increases utilization of health services at community, regional, and national levels.
Visit the PATH website to learn more about the briefing and the policy series.
Sweet potato holds promise for reducing malnutrition
April 2010
PATH is working with the International Potato Center (CIP) and other partners in Kenya to explore how linking agricultural and health services could increase the consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potato and improve nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. The project is a key component of CIP’s “Sweetpotato Action for Security and Health in Africa” project and its broader ten-year initiative to improve the food security and livelihoods of 10 million poor African families by exploiting the untapped potential of this vitamin A-rich sweet potato. Read more.
Call for support for appropriate infant and young child feeding in Haiti
January 2010
Our thoughts are with the victims and families affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization, and the World Food Programme have released an important joint statement calling for support for appropriate infant and young child feeding during the Haiti emergency to prevent malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality among children. The message emphasizes the following points:
- Breastfeeding is the safest feeding option for infants during an emergency. Every effort should be made to support mothers to breastfeed and avoid the use of breastmilk substitutes, which should be a last resort only after fully exploring safer options.
- Relactation should be prioritized for infants under six months of age who are no longer breastfed. When this is not possible (e.g., for orphans), or when skilled personnel identify a need for artificial feeding, breastmilk substitutes must be accompanied by training for caregivers on hygienic preparation and use. Liquid ready-to-use breastmilk substitutes are preferred over powder mixes.
- In an emergency, the use of breastmilk substitutes can endanger children’s lives and, in accordance with international guidelines, they should not be donated. UNICEF is the coordinating agency in Haiti for the appropriate use of breastmilk substitutes and can provide guidance to organizations.
- Children older than six months of age require nutritious, age-appropriate, and safe complementary foods in addition to breastmilk. Priority should be given to providing local, culturally-acceptable foods. When cooking facilities are unavailable, ready-to-use fortified foods are an option. However, once cooking facilities have been set up, fortified blended food is recommended.
Promising new research on HAART during breastfeeding
September 2009
New research on extending anti-retroviral (ARV) prophylaxis through six months of breastfeeding shows great promise for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In July, researchers announced findings from three highly anticipated randomized controlled trials at the International AIDS Society Conference (IAS) in Cape Town, South Africa. The results added to a significant body of evidence showing that that giving ARV prophylaxis to infants or highly active anti-retroviral Therapy (HAART) to women who do not qualify for treatment during breastfeeding can significantly reduce transmission of HIV to infants.
The findings are significant for HIV-positive mothers who are faced with making difficult decisions about the safest way to feed their babies. Mothers may choose to avoid breastfeeding or stop early to avoid passing the virus through breastmilk, yet the danger of common diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia, malnutrition, and infant and young child deaths associated with formula feeding is well known. If giving HAART to women who do not qualify for treatment can greatly reduce the HIV transmission risk of breastfeeding, more infants and children of HIV-positive mothers will be able to benefit from the health and nutrition benefits of breastfeeding.
According to Tim Quick, senior technical advisor for HIV & Nutrition and co-chair of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Food & Nutrition Technical Working Group at USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS, the new research means that more HIV-positive mothers may choose to breastfeed their babies and breastfeed for longer periods—ensuring that they get the nutrients they need to prevent malnutrition and infections.
"As long as there is still a risk of transmission through breastfeeding, we will continue to support mothers to make informed choices about infant feeding and help them balance the risks of breastfeeding and formula feeding," said Quick. "These new findings may dramatically shift that balance in favor of breastfeeding."
The current World Health Organization (WHO) HIV treatment guidelines recommend that stage one and two HIV-positive people, including pregnant women, begin ARV treatment if their CD4 cell count is below 200 cells/μL. Later in the year, a WHO expert committee will meet to consider the available evidence on treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women with higher CD4 counts and consider updating current guidelines to support temporary administration of ARVs to pregnant and lactating women who do not qualify for treatment.
As WHO considers how the new evidence should impact international recommendations, it will also consider the limitations of the evidence that leave many unanswered questions. The long-term health effects of giving HAART to women who do not qualify for treatment and infants are still unclear. Moreover, the feasibility of ensuring drug adherence among a population that looks and feels healthy is uncertain. And while these studies only provided drugs through six months, many women are unable to meet AFASS criteria to stop breastfeeding until much later, so the efficacy and safety of continuing prophylaxis through the entire breastfeeding period is an urgent research need. The cost and human resource implications of providing ARVs to a much bigger population must also be modeled. Effectiveness trials thus are needed to determine the overall feasibility of implementing long-term prophylaxis in real-life settings.
Read summaries of the studies:
Breastfeeding, Antiretroviral, and Nutrition (BAN) study
Alive and Thrive (A&T) Small Grants Program on Infant and Young Child Feeding
July 2009
Linked below is a Call for Letters of Interest for the Alive & Thrive (A&T) Small Grants Program. Letters of Interest are due September 14, 2009.
The A&T Small Grants Program aims to fund operational research projects that will identify novel approaches and overcome key barriers to improving infant and young child feeding at scale in low-income countries. Awards for small grants will generally be in the range of $50,000- $100,000 USD.
View the Call for Letters of Interest for the A&T Small Grants Program.
IYCN supports World Breastfeeding Week 2009
July 2009
After flooding caused by a hurricane in Cabaret, Haiti, IYCN helped educate mothers about good breastfeeding practices at a community event in December 2008. |
The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, August 1–7, 2009, is Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response. Are you ready? The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s (WABA) annual campaign will highlight the vital role of breastfeeding before and during emergencies worldwide.
The IYCN Project supports WABA’s call for increased efforts to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in emergencies. During earthquakes, floods, conflicts, and other crises, good breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices save lives and prevent malnutrition and childhood illnesses.
Check back for updates on IYCN’s World Breastfeeding Week activities in the field.
Visit the World Breastfeeding Week website.
New PATH report highlights good infant feeding practices to prevent diarrheal disease
July 2009
A new report from PATH includes optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices as part of a broad array of lifesaving prevention and treatment solutions for addressing diarrheal disease in the developing world. Diarrheal Disease: Solutions to Defeat a Global Killer presents scientific evidence to support strategies to scale up use of interventions to control diarrheal disease.
In tandem with the new report, a Call to Action is bringing together partners from the health, water and sanitation, and environmental sectors to raise awareness and catalyze momentum on programs that address diarrheal disease control.
Visit PATH’s Resources for Diarrheal Disease Control website to download the report, view case studies from organizations making a real impact, submit a case study from your own organization, and sign the Call to Action.
IYCN praises Roadmap for US Leadership to End Global Hunger
March 2009
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A Roadmap for US Leadership to End Global Hunger was published in February 2009 by a broad-based coalition of non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, and religious organizations calling for the Obama administration and Congress to work together with the international community to cut global hunger in half by 2015.
IYCN praises the coalition for including nutrition programs as one of four main components of the Roadmap’s comprehensive strategy to prevent and alleviate global hunger. Other elements of the coalition’s balanced strategy include emergency response and management; safety nets, social protection and disaster risk reduction; and market-based agriculture and infrastructure development. It is essential for hunger and food security policies to include nutrition strategies because increasing access to food is not enough to prevent malnutrition for children. Even when kids have adequate food, they may not be eating enough food or a variety of foods frequently enough to keep them healthy. That is why programs that promote good nutrition practices, like exclusive breastfeeding and optimal complementary feeding, should go hand in hand with efforts to support agricultural development and food assistance.
Check back for updates on the Roadmap.
Download A Roadmap for US Leadership to End Global Hunger.
IYCN welcomes Tom Schaetzel
March 2009
We are pleased to welcome Tom Schaetzel as our new technical director. Dr. Schaetzel will lead the project’s technical initiatives and global leadership activities. Before joining our team, he was the nutrition adviser for USAID/BASICS (Basic Support for Institutionalizing Child Survival). He has more than 20 years of experience working on nutrition, health, and agriculture programs addressing infant and young child nutrition, maternal nutrition, micronutrients, and monitoring and evaluation.
White Ribbon Alliance and CARE launch Mothers Day Every Day: A Campaign for Healthy Moms and Newborns
March 2009
Last month, the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood (WRA) and CARE, joined a distinguished group of advocates to unveil Mothers Day Every Day. The campaign aims to accelerate progress toward safe pregnancy and healthy childbirth for all by raising awareness and advocating for greater U.S. leadership to improve prenatal health and reduce maternal mortality.
Learn more about the campaign.
New maternal nutrition strategy holds promise for Madagascar
March 2009
When mothers are malnourished, their babies have a higher chance of suffering from malnutrition. It’s a vicious cycle that nutrition advocates have been trying to combat in Madagascar. Despite national efforts to improve nutrition for mothers and children, malnutrition remains a significant problem that gets passed down through generations.
Now, a promising national strategy that establishes priorities and key actions toward improving nutrition for mothers may help break the cycle of malnutrition. Many government officials and nutrition partners believe that the first-of-its kind strategy will provide the concrete guidance they need to make a difference together—something that had been lacking in their battle to improve nutritional status for mothers and children.
The IYCN Project has taken the lead on collaborating with the Ministry of Health and other groups to develop the strategy and link it to the government’s broader nutrition plans. Together with a wide range of partners, IYCN is breaking new ground. Although many countries have programs to address maternal nutrition problems, none have gone as far as to create a national plan for action.
When the IYCN team coordinated partner workshops to get input on the strategy, nutrition leaders were excited about the potential for it to impact the lives of mothers and children.
“The new Maternal Nutrition Strategy gives us the missing piece in the plan to fight malnutrition,” said Benjamin Andriamitantsoa of the US Agency for International Development’s Madagascar Mission during a workshop in December 2008. “It will help us break the cycle of malnutrition and address nutrition problems for women well before a child is conceived.”
The Ministry of Health and the National Office of Nutrition plan to adopt the strategy and disseminate it as part of their national nutrition standards in April 2009. Check the IYCN website for updates.
Learn more about IYCN efforts in Madagascar.
New IYCN activities in Kenya
March 2009
An IYCN assessment found that HIV-positive mothers in Kenya are putting their babies at increased risk of HIV infection because they stop exclusive breastfeeding too early. To give children a chance for a healthy life, the IYCN Project is now offering nutritional guidance for HIV-positive mothers in Kenya. In April 2009, the IYCN team will start training health counselors in facilities and making sure infant feeding messages are included in community-based HIV/AIDS programs. IYCN will focus on efforts in Western Province during the first year.
IYCN will present the results of the Kenya assessment at the Global Health Council’s Annual Meeting in May 2009. Read more.Development Marketplace 2009 Grant Competition - Innovate for Nutrition (South Asia)
February 2009
The 2009 Development Marketplace grant competition, administered by the World Bank, invites proposals from all South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) under the theme “Family and Community Approaches to Improve Infant and Young Child Nutrition". The call for proposals will be open until midnight on March 31st EST.
For more information on how to apply and eligibility and selection criteria, please visit the World Bank website.
Success Story: Lesotho
January 2009
Volunteer health workers, like Mamorena Namane, help the IYCN Project reach out to communities. Mamorena is from rural Lesotho, a country in southern Africa, where more than one-third of children younger than 5 years of age are short in stature. In her community, mothers often delay breastfeeding until their baby’s umbilical cord falls off—a common cultural practice that can leave them susceptible to illness. When pregnant with her second child, Mamorena participated in an IYCN training workshop and learned the benefits of good breastfeeding practices. Her first child was frequently ill as an infant, but Mamorena breastfed her second child immediately: he’s grown into a big, healthy boy. Now, Mamorena talks with other women in her community about optimal breastfeeding practices and helps them overcome cultural barriers so that their children may be healthy too.
Read more about IYCN’s work in Lesotho.
Download the full success story.
The Infant and Young Child Nutrition Project celebrates World Breastfeeding Week in Lesotho
August 2008
Babies who are properly breastfed can grow up to be as healthy and strong as Olympic athletes. That’s the message Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho delivered to families across the country in August to mark World Breastfeeding Week and its theme, “Mother Support: Going for the Gold.” The Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) Project collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other breastfeeding advocates to help communities learn more about optimal breastfeeding practices during World Breastfeeding Week, August 1–7, 2008.
Makatleho Masoabi, the IYCN country coordinator, helped craft a nationally televised speech by Lesotho’s Queen Masenate urging mothers to use good breastfeeding practices. To help spread the word about optimal breastfeeding practices, Masaobi also answered caller questions on local radio stations and worked with hospitals across the country to encourage increased counseling with new mothers.
Read more about the IYCN Project in Lesotho.
Photos: Aurelio Ayala III, Philippe Blanc, WFP/Mario Di Bari
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