The Micronutrient Data Innovation Alliance
The Micronutrient Data Innovation Alliance (DInA) convenes diverse national, regional, and global stakeholders to improve the availability, quality, accessibility, and use of micronutrient-related data to support national-level decision-makers.
The best way to improve the the micronutrient data gap is through collective action.
An estimated three billion people – almost 40% of the global population – lack the resources to enjoy a healthy diet. As a result, many of these people have inadequate micronutrient intakes, producing a broad array of adverse human health, development, and functional outcomes.
To address this challenge, the global health community has developed effective, safe, and affordable strategies to help prevent micronutrient deficiency. Despite numerous program and policy successes, progress identifying and addressing micronutrient deficiencies has been uneven and insufficient. One reason for the lack of progress is an immature data ecosystem.
A well-functioning data ecosystem, including more and better data, and better utilization of data would dramatically improve program and policy effectiveness.
Three issues affect the micronutrient data ecosystem:
- A scarcity of reliable, segmented, normalized, and available data.
- Insufficient analysis of available data.
- Inadequate use of existing analysis.
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These problems prevent countries from accessing the data needed to cost-effectively design well targeted programs, monitor progress and plan strategic actions to address micronutrient malnutrition. Closing the data gap requires a well-functioning micronutrient data value chain that supports the collection, curation, exchange, analysis, and usage of micronutrient data. More and better data, improved access to data, and more data expertise would not only improve existing interventions but also increase adoption and scale-up of proven policies and programs in new settings.
A coordinated and aligned response is needed – which is why the Micronutrient Forum launched the Micronutrient Data Innovation Alliance (DInA) – to systemically improve the micronutrient data ecosystem through coordinated action.
The Micronutrient Data Innovation Alliance (DInA), hosted by the Forum, is an alliance of diverse members to improve the availability, quality, accessibility, and use of data across the value chain to support national-level decision-makers to better design, implement, measure, and optimize programs and policies.
The Alliance also involves new organizations with skills and perspectives not currently engaged in the ecosystem, such as digital modeling, artificial intelligence/machine learning expertise, and mapping proficiency to provide new perspectives, analytic and innovative approaches to micronutrient data availability, accessibility, quality, use, and insights.
Early DInA Programmatic Activities
Building on the work of organizations such as the GFDx, VMNIS, BRINDA, and others, DInA is collating a repository housing and promoting consensus definitions and aligned methodologies for the collection and analysis of MN and large-scale food fortification (LSFF) data. This work will also inform the roadmap for future DInA work.
Most LSFF tools (models, visualizations, and libraries) have been developed independently in both their use cases and technologies. DInA is undertaking a root cause analysis to examine specific national and regional use cases. This analysis will clarify the underlying data issues, establishing priorities for DInA and other stakeholders. This work will also explore the roadmap for future DInA work.
DInA is developing a cohesive investment framework including clear and specific investment cases for the collection and utilization of MN data, in coordination with groups such as R4D, Power of Nutrition, and the World Bank. This framework will ensure that national decision-makers and funders are aware of the cost and impact of MN data and increase support of activities prioritized by DInA.
A visualization tool that combines data from LSFF and other MN programs, including coverage and compliance, along with population-based data on consumption of food vehicles, demographic data, and data on micronutrient status will allow global and local decision-makers to prioritize LSFF interventions and maximize program success.
Ultimately, DInA strives to develop the data ecosystem supporting the better design, implementation, measurement, and optimization of programs and policies to safely and effectively address MN deficiency.
Key Papers
The Micronutrient Forum: Micronutrient Data Generation Initiative Strategic Plan
Public Health Nutrition: Basis for changes in the disease burden estimates related to vitamin A and zinc deficiencies in the 2017 and 2019 Global Burden of Disease Studies
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Increasing the availability and utilization of reliable data on population micronutrient (MN) status globally: the MN Data Generation Initiative.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences: Nutrition modeling tools: a qualitative study of influence on policy decision making and determining factors
Bridging the Micronutrient Data Gap
DInA Steering Committee
Zipporah Bukania-Apungu, PhD
Rebecca Heidkamp, PhD
Helena Pachon, PhD
Nelly Zavaleta Pimentel, MD
Naveen Paudyal
Jonathan Gorstein, PhD
Mercy Lung’aho, PhD
Ranjan Sankar, MD
Masresha Tessema, PhD
DInA is made possible through a partnership with:
