For this Learning Network context, nutrition surveillance is defined as a system established to continuously monitor the dietary intake, nutritional status and other nutrition indicators of a population or selected population groups using a variety of data-collection methods whose ultimate goal is to lead to evidenced-based and well-informed nutrition policy formulation, advocacy and action planning.
Technical Working Groups (TWG) are functional learning units of the network.
This TWG specifically focuses on Micronutrient Surveillance. The following are the sub-areas of focus:
- Biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases and inflammation
- Biomarkers for Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)
- Dietary intakes of key micronutrients
- Multiple micronutrient supplements – programmatic surveillance
- Primary micronutrients of focus: Iron Deficiency, folic acid, vitamin A, iodine, and zinc
- Other micronutrients (secondary): Calcium, selenium, vitamin D
Functions and responsibilities
The objective of the Micronutrient Surveillance TWG (Micro-LeNNS) is to contribute to the understanding, sharing, learning and adoptions to promote actions, change and transitions to strengthen data collection, repository, analysis and use in technical areas of focus.
Micro-LeNNS facilitates learning on technical matters, as well as trigger and support innovations in nutrition surveillance. These are done through:
- Facilitating discussions leading to learning and sharing of best practices, innovations and new dimensions in micronutrient surveillance;
- Developing and operationalizing frameworks for addressing collective regional challenges in surveillance including but not limited to efforts in harmonization, standardization and development of policy/strategy framework on surveillance;
- Supporting TWG members in addressing technical issues related to the data collection, repository, analysis and use; and
- Tracking and documenting the learnings in the TWGs