Global and Regional Stakeholder Consultations Informing DInA Priorities

More than three billion people – almost 40% of the global population – lack access to healthy foods, resulting in inadequate micronutrient intakes, causing a broad array of adverse health and development outcomes. Today, as many nations struggle with unprecedented rises in food prices, healthy and nutrient-rich diets are increasingly out of reach for millions more.   

Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of reliable, population-level data on micronutrient deficiencies; insufficient analyses of available data; and inadequate use of existing analyses. Data – as with any public health problem – is critical and without accurate and current data on micronutrients, countries cannot design and target cost-effective programs and monitor progress in addressing micronutrient malnutrition. 

The Micronutrient Data Innovation Alliance (DInA) is the Micronutrient Forum’s newest program, which aims raise up the micronutrient data ecosystem by creating an alliance of diverse members to address pressing issues. DInA will collaborate to improve the availability, quality, accessibility, and use of data across the value chain to support national-level decision-makers to better design, implement, and evaluate programs and policies. 

Currently in its launch phase, DInA is receiving input from stakeholders on priorities to support the micronutrient and large-scale food fortification (LSFF) data ecosystem. In June, DInA held four consultations, including a global in-person meeting and three virtual regional consultations across a variety of time zones.  These sessions, which collectively included participants from 26 countries covering a variety of sectors, resulted in insights from stakeholders on micronutrient and large-scale food fortification data collection, analysis, and use.