Month: April 2020

2020 Severe Malnutrition Non-Technical Learning Series

In light of new terminology and research on the most effective ways to prevent malnutrition-related child mortality, 1,000 Days launched a new learning series focused on severe malnutrition. The learning series features monthly presentations by subject-matter experts on topics designed to help a non-technical audience ​unpack the latest evidence and craft more effective, informed severe malnutrition policies and advocacy campaigns. Through ongoing consultation with experts and audience members, 1,000 Days addresses the emerging issues, questions and information that are most relevant to people working in this field.

Spring Learning Series Topics

April 30, 2020 – Severe Malnutrition 101: Understanding the fundamentals
10am EST
Access a recording of the video here.

In this kick-off session, Saul Guerrero Oteyza, Child Wasting Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF, gave an overview of the current global mechanisms for preventing and treating severe malnutrition. The session offered an accessible background to foundational issues including: the history of wasting treatment; an overview of current treatment protocol; an explanation of the link between wasting and stunting; an elaboration on the uses and availability of ready to use therapeutic foods (RUTF); and an update on current efforts to streamline wasting treatment through the Global Action Plan (GAP) on Wasting.

May 29, 2020 – Management of Wasting: Programming Insights and Areas for Action
11am EST
Access a recording of the video here.

In this session, Marie McGrath, Technical Director at the Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) and Co-Editor of ENN’s long running technical publication, Field Exchange, offer an accessible synthesis of key takeaways from a special 60th issue that examined management of wasting in children. Framed within the recently launched UN Global Action Plan (GAP) on wasting, this session shared insights from this rich collation of programming experiences and research to inform your advocacy efforts to build and scale capacity to care for wasted children worldwide.

*Note correction to dates on Slide 15:
Should read 2019 (not 2020) as follows:
Action
ECF & ENN Donor Roundtable, London, July 2019

Donor letter to the UN Secretary General from the core philanthropic donors, October 2019
Letter to UN Secretary General, 20th Dec 2019 – urgent action & reform

June 19, 2020 – Rounding Out the Power Four: MMS, Breastfeeding, and Vitamin A Supplementation
10am EST
Register HERE.

The ‘Power 4’ are a targeted set of high-impact nutrition interventions we can scale today to immediately reduce the number of children dying from severe malnutrition. Along with wasting treatment, which was the primary focus of the first two learning series sessions, MMS, Breastfeeding, and Vitamin A Supplementation are foundational interventions in the fight to improve nutrition for children around the world. Join leading experts representing each of these key interventions for a non-technical overview of the interventions’ significance, delivery, and current challenges, and for a chance to ask questions to people working directly with the Power 4.

Presenters:

  • Dr. Rolf Klemm, Vice President, Nutrition at Helen Keller International and Associate Scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  • Dr. Saskia Osendarp, Executive Director Micronutrient Forum
  • Dr Rukhsana Haider, Founder and Chair, Training & Assistance for Health & Nutrition Foundation (TAHN), Bangladesh, Co-Chair, Steering Committee, World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), Penang, Malaysia

July 2020 – Crafting a compelling narrative around severe malnutrition
More information on date, time and registration link to come.

As the nutrition advocacy community begins to talk and write about severe malnutrition and its heightened focus on child mortality, there will be many opportunities to develop new communications narratives. Led by Blythe Thomas, Chief Strategy Officer at 1,000 Days, this session will focus on aligning messaging and crafting compelling communications materials that will speak clearly to non-nutrition audiences.

 

For more information, please email 1,000 Days Global Policy and Advocacy Manager, Emma Feutl Kent, at emma@thousandays.org.

It’s Census Day in the United States

All children need certain things to thrive. Nutritious foods, access to health care, and the care of parents and other caregivers are just a few of the basics that can help children reach their full potential.

In the United States, numerous federal programs and services help families ensure their children’s needs are met – including children whose families have low incomes or who live in poverty. But, without an accurate count of our nation’s children, these programs may not get the resources they need to serve all the children and families who rely on them. That’s where the Census comes in.

Every 10 years, our nation counts every person living in the United States and five U.S. territories. An accurate count is critical because, among other things, it helps policymakers decide how best to allocate hundreds of billions of dollars to federal programs and to determine legislative districts.

Today, April 1, is Census Day. By now, you may have received official Census Bureau mail with information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail. Already, millions of households across the nation have responded, with an overall response rate so far of 34.7%. If you haven’t completed the 2020 Census already, we urge you to visit my2020census.gov to make sure your family is counted today!

Counting all young children is especially critical in the 2020 Census. Research shows that young children are undercounted at a higher rate than any other group. The 2010 Census missed about 5% of all children under age 5 – or about 1 million children.

Sometimes young children are undercounted because of their living arrangements (such as splitting time between two homes or living with a family member like an aunt or grandmother). Sometimes parents may not realize that babies and toddlers are supposed to be counted – but this year, all children born on or before April 1 should be counted. And sometimes the entire family is missed because of a language barrier or other challenge. But whatever the reason, one thing is clear: when young children are not counted, it can have serious consequences for them, their families and our communities.

For example, an undercount of young children can affect the distribution of funding to programs and services that make a difference in the lives of millions of young children and their families every day. Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Head Start, and the Child Care and Development Fund all receive funding based on census data.

As an official partner of the 2020 Census, 1,000 Days believes it is critical that everyone is counted – including parents and their infants and toddlers. That’s why we’re thrilled to see the Census Bureau, advocates, and communities across the country working together to help make sure that everyone is represented equally in the 2020 Census.