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‘Severe malnutrition’: thinking deeply, communicating simply
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  • Published on:
    Building on narrative rather than changing narrative

    A few thoughts on the paper.

    In relation to SAM terminology. No one could argue with the logic of acute v chronic. However, SAM is well understood at a policy level. It is however understood at above six months. The work that ENN and MAMI have done on identifying wasting at birth is a narrative change which can lay the foundation for the bridging language that the paper talks about.

    Narrative is a story that people can understand.
    As pointed out, consistency is important, but consistency must hover across the 1000 day window. Currently, our terminology for narrating fetal undernutrition is very weak. While simplistic, if children are being born wasted, then they are also wasted in utero. To fully open the curtains, we would suggest that the SAM terminology be adapted to include fetal malnutrition. The narrative neither stops nor begins at birth regardless of the terminology we use.
    In relation to the false positives and visa versa. Given current programming capacity and coverage rates well below 20% for CMAM false negatives represent only a tiny fraction of those who need treatment and do not receive it. Focus on false positives takes away from the substantive issue of low coverage rates for Essential Nutrition Actions across the 1000 day window.

    On a broader theme, it would be helpful to explore how the food system and the food system summit support people in immediate need.

    A conversation starter
    The food system belongs to...

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    Conflict of Interest:
    None declared.