Global Nutrition Investments: Nutrition & Research is Key to U.S. Leadership

Four years have passed since government officials representing eight separate U.S. federal departments and agencies launched the U.S. Government Global Nutrition Coordination Plan 2016-2021. The sub-groups that make up this unit have worked to define the purpose and role of each member, identified six technical focus areas, and accomplished national achievements through inter-agency collaboration that reinforces the United States’ position as a leading investor in nutritional health.

Among the many agencies and U.S. government departments that make up the coalition include:

• Peace Corps
• S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
• S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
• S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

What is the U.S. Government Global Nutrition Coordination Plan?

The purpose of the U.S. Government Global Nutrition Coordination Plan is to strengthen the impact of the many diverse nutrition investments across the U.S. government through better communication, collaboration, and linking research to program implementation. Through coordination mechanisms, the U.S. government will maximize its support to country-led programs, continue its global leadership and partnerships, and generate, share, and apply knowledge and evidence in the nutrition sector in order to accelerate progress toward shared nutrition goals.

Through extensive collaboration and in-depth evaluations on a national scale, like the Demographic and Health Survey, the representatives are key to efforts in progressing the plan. In the remaining 18 months of the current plan, the coordination plan committee recognizes there is much work left to do to continue to strengthen the framework for a healthier world.

In coordination with the World Health Assembly and through seven thoughtfully-outlined actions, the committee will reshape the nutritional landscape for populations. Specific goals they intend to reach by 2025 involve:

• 40% reduction in the number of children under 5 who have stunted growth
• 50% reduction of anemia in women of reproductive age
• 30% reduction in low birth weight
• No increase in childhood overweight rates
• Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months up to at least 50%
• Reduce and maintain childhood wasting to less than 5%

To read more about the U.S. coordination plan and accomplishments, visit USAID.

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