Article type
Abstract
"Introduction:
The triple burden of overnutrition, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies is a major public health challenge, often coexisting within populations and disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Actions and policies addressing the complex causes and consequences of these burdens should be informed by the best available evidence. Evidence synthesis authorship is, however, dominated by people from high-income countries.
LMIC authors are conducting, promoting use, and facilitating learning of nutrition evidence synthesis:
Through evidence-informed policy and practice partnerships and networks, and various funding mechanisms, including in-kind support, we have developed LMIC authors’ capacity to produce responsive nutrition evidence syntheses that support global and national nutrition policy agendas. Embedded in this work is a ‘pay-it-forward’ and ‘learning-by-doing’ model, where a synthesis involves at least one novice LMIC author who then joins a second synthesis, supporting the experiential learning of a new novice author. Building capacity to take stock of existing synthesis, delineate new questions that address gaps and then conduct new syntheses, underpins the model.
Since 2018, this model produced 27 nutrition evidence syntheses addressing the triple burden of malnutrition, with 17 informing national or global guidance development. They involved 32 novice author learning experiences (26 women) from India, Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa. All except two were led by LMIC authors. Linking with Cochrane, Campbell and GRADE groups enabled an extension of methods expertise and synthesis adaptation to optimise utility for end-users. Syntheses have spanned different question types and methods, including 17 systematic reviews (10 Cochrane), three qualitative evidence syntheses, four scoping reviews, four rapid syntheses and two economic evaluations. Sustained partnerships with guideline developers and evidence users have helped to focus on syntheses with demonstrable impact on practice and policy. This South-led capacity building model has stimulated advocacy for nutrition evidence communication and use in the LMICs.
Conclusion:
The synergistic and simultaneous focus on priority nutrition evidence syntheses, in tandem with building leadership and capacity by and for people in LMICs is strengthening the evidence ecosystem in LMICs and advancing heath equity. There has been no direct patient involvement in syntheses. Consumer representatives were involved in selected priority-setting activities."
The triple burden of overnutrition, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies is a major public health challenge, often coexisting within populations and disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Actions and policies addressing the complex causes and consequences of these burdens should be informed by the best available evidence. Evidence synthesis authorship is, however, dominated by people from high-income countries.
LMIC authors are conducting, promoting use, and facilitating learning of nutrition evidence synthesis:
Through evidence-informed policy and practice partnerships and networks, and various funding mechanisms, including in-kind support, we have developed LMIC authors’ capacity to produce responsive nutrition evidence syntheses that support global and national nutrition policy agendas. Embedded in this work is a ‘pay-it-forward’ and ‘learning-by-doing’ model, where a synthesis involves at least one novice LMIC author who then joins a second synthesis, supporting the experiential learning of a new novice author. Building capacity to take stock of existing synthesis, delineate new questions that address gaps and then conduct new syntheses, underpins the model.
Since 2018, this model produced 27 nutrition evidence syntheses addressing the triple burden of malnutrition, with 17 informing national or global guidance development. They involved 32 novice author learning experiences (26 women) from India, Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa. All except two were led by LMIC authors. Linking with Cochrane, Campbell and GRADE groups enabled an extension of methods expertise and synthesis adaptation to optimise utility for end-users. Syntheses have spanned different question types and methods, including 17 systematic reviews (10 Cochrane), three qualitative evidence syntheses, four scoping reviews, four rapid syntheses and two economic evaluations. Sustained partnerships with guideline developers and evidence users have helped to focus on syntheses with demonstrable impact on practice and policy. This South-led capacity building model has stimulated advocacy for nutrition evidence communication and use in the LMICs.
Conclusion:
The synergistic and simultaneous focus on priority nutrition evidence syntheses, in tandem with building leadership and capacity by and for people in LMICs is strengthening the evidence ecosystem in LMICs and advancing heath equity. There has been no direct patient involvement in syntheses. Consumer representatives were involved in selected priority-setting activities."