The Potential Contribution of the Health System to Reducing Stunting in SUN Countries

Abstract

Background: The global nutrition community has called for a multisectoral approach to improve nutritional outcomes. While most essential nutrition interventions are delivered through the health system, nutrition-sensitive interventions from other sectors are critical. Objective: We modeled the potential impact that Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) interventions delivered by the health system would have on reaching World Health Assembly (WHA) stunting targets. We also included results for targets 2, 3, and 5. Methods: Using all available countries enrolled in the SUN movement, we identified nutrition interventions that are delivered by the health system available in the Lives Saved Tool. We then scaled these interventions linearly from 2012 up to nearly universal coverage (90%) in 2025 and estimated the potential impact that this increase would have with regard to the WHA targets. Results: Our results show that only 16 countries out of 56 would reach the 40% reduction in the number of stunted children by 2025, with a combined total reduction of 32% across all countries. Similarly, only 2 countries would achieve the 50% reduction in anemia for women of reproductive age, 41 countries would reach at least 50% exclusive breastfeeding in children under 6 months of age, and 0 countries would reach the 30% reduction in low birth weight. Conclusions: While the health system has an important role to play in the delivery of health interventions, focusing investments and efforts on the health system alone will not allow countries to reach the WHA targets by 2025. Concerted efforts across multiple sectors are necessary.

A Systems Approach in the Prevention of Undernutrition among Children under Five in Tanzania: Perspectives from Key Stakeholders

“…According to this study, a cross-sector approach has been termed 'Health in All Policies' implying multisectoral collaboration, which integrates various efforts from different stakeholders both within and outside health sectors [57,58]. Other studies have also shown the importance of collaboration between the health sector and other sectors [59,60]. The 2020-2023 USAID report on advancing nutrition in Tanzania has shown a close collaboration between the government and international organizations in supporting efforts towards the elimination of malnutrition in the country.…”