Policy analysis & advocacy

Helping decision-makers understand the crucial role that nutrition plays in human and economic development is essential for assuring political commitment, resource allocation, and appropriate policies that will allow nations to develop and prosper. For more than 15 years, AED has been a leader in the field of evidence-based nutrition policy analysis and advocacy using PROFILES, a participatory advocacy process that builds upon a spreadsheet-based computer software program for quantifying the impacts and costs of diverse nutritional problems. PROFILES helps different stakeholders in health, agriculture, education, and finance to share a common understanding of nutritional problems and cost-effective solutions. PROFILES has been used in more than 30 countries worldwide to influence long- and short-term planning, strategy development, and resource allocation. PROFILES spreadsheets are constantly updated to include the latest information, and span the range of nutritional considerations from low birth weight to obesity.