Message-ID: <s28092de.000@jsi.com> Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 13:24:51 -0500 From: Benedict Tisa <mailto:benedict_tisa@JSI.COM> Subject: OMNI FLASH To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
******OMNI NEWS FLASH********OMNI NEWS FLASH*******OMNI NEWS ************************************************************************************** ************************************************************************************ITEMS:
1. IVACG MEETING IN EGYPT SEPTEMBER 1997
THEME: SUSTAINABLE CONTROL OF VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY: DEFINING PROGRESS THROUGH ASSESSMENT, SURVEILLANCE, EVALUATION
2. USAID FUNDED OMNI AND NUTRITION COMMUNICATION PROJECTS PRODUCES 4 CASE STUDIES IN VITAMIN A TO SHARE SOCIAL MARKETING EXPERIENCES GLOBALLY __________________________________________________________________________
1 .IVACG MEETING IN EGYPT SEPTEMBER 1997 *Sustainable Control of Vitamin A Deficiency: Defining Progress Through Assessment, Surveillance, Evaluation* will be the theme of the XVIII IVACG Meeting, 22-26 September 1997 in Cairo, Egypt. *The meeting will be an excellent opportunity to discuss new data from the region and to share information with researchers and those responsible for the prevention and control of vitamin A deficiency in other countries of the world,* said Dr. Abraham Horwitz, Chair of IVACG.
The program will include invited presentations on the meeting theme. Other oral, poster, and video presentations will be selected from submitted abstracts on the following topics:
Assessment technology for practical program application including validity, practicality, and criteria for success Surveillance methodology for vitamin A status including practical programmatic techniques Evaluation of individual intervention components Bioavailability of vitamin A from dietary sources Integration of vitamin A programs into community programs (e.g., vitamin A and immunization activities, involvement of the private sector), including successes and concerns Vitamin A and HIV/AIDS Implications of concomitant infections for vitamin A status (permanent versus transient reduction in serum levels and the underlying mechanism)
IVACG welcomes to its meetings participants from international agencies, national ministries, educational institutions, and nongovernmental organizations. Among the more than 400 participants expected to attend the XVIII IVACG Meeting are policy makers, implementors, and scientists in health, nutrition, biochemistry, agriculture, horticulture, education, communications, and development.
The XVIII IVACG Meeting is sponsored by the International Vitamin A Consultative Group (IVACG) and the local organizing committee in Egypt. IVACG receives funds through Opportunities for Micronutrient Interventions (OMNI), a project of the Office of Health and Nutrition, Global Bureau for Programs, Field Support and Research, U.S. Agency for International Development, and others.
To receive a copy of the abstract form or other information about the XVIII IVACG Meeting, please write to the IVACG Secretariat, ILSI Research Foundation, 1126 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-4810, USA. The secretariat's telephone number is 202-659-9024; its fax number is 202-659-3617; and its E-mail address is mailto:OMNI@DC.ILSI.ORG. General information about the meeting is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.ilsi.org/ivacg.html. Only abstracts received by 10 January 1997 on the XVIII IVACG Meeting abstract form will be considered.
The International Vitamin A Consultative Group (IVACG) guides international activities for reducing vitamin A deficiency in the world. IVACG concentrates its efforts on stimulating and disseminating new knowledge, translating that new knowledge to assist others in its practical application, and providing authoritative policy statements and recommendations that others can use to develop appropriate prevention and control programs.
For more information contact: Laurie L. Aomari, RD IVACG Secretariat, ILSI Research Foundation, 1126 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-4810, USA Tel (202) 659-9024 E-Mail:mailto:laurie@dc.ilsi.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- 2. PUBLICATION AVAILABLE: 4 CASE STUDIES IN VITAMIN A TO SHARE SOCIAL MARKETING EXPERIENCES GLOBALLYIf children in developing countries are provided sufficient vitamin A to meet their needs, as many as 4.5 million can be saved by the end of this century. In addition, a significant number will be spared from blindness or increased severity of common respiratory and diarrheal infections. In light of such statistics, the question is how to ensure that these children receive sufficient vitamin A.
This can be achieved through a variety of complementary interventions, including improving production, access, and utilization of vitamin A-rich foods; periodically supplementing the diet with high-dose vitamin A capsules; and fortifying commonly consumed foods. At the heart of any successful mix of these approaches, however, is behavior change and social marketing.
STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING VITAMIN A PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION, AND SUPPLEMENTATION: FOUR CASE STUDIES presents experiences from four projects in Niger, Indonesia, and the Philippines which reflect the critical importance of behavior change to achieve success in reducing and eliminating vitamin A deficiency. The principles of behavior change and social marketing have contributed to the systematic approaches used in these and other health programs around the world. These examples provide insights for the many other countries that share similar challenges. Moving from lessons learned to successful programs brings ever nearer the achievement of the global year 2000 goal of the elimination of vitamin A deficiency as a public health problem, and the consequent saving of millions of children's lives.
These case studies were compiled by USAID's Nutrition Communication Project (NCP) and Communication and Marketing for Child Survival Project, both managed by the Academy for Educational Development. The USAID Opportunities for Micronutrient Interventions (OMNI) Project, managed by John Snow, Inc., sponsored publication and dissemination of the case studies.
To receive a copy of the publication please contact OMNI at the address below. **************************************************************************** OPPORTUNITIES FOR MICRONUTRIENT INTERVENTIONS (OMNI) is funded by the Office of Health and Nutrition of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington, D.C. and managed by John Snow, Inc. OMNI's mission is accomplished by developing integrated, comprehensive programs and strategies to reduce and eliminate major micronutrient deficiencies throughout the developing world. Participating countries are based on their micronutrient malnutrition problems, commitment by local officials (public and private) to micronutrient activities, and their capacity to achieve and sustain a demonstrable impact. ****************************************************************************** OMNI is located at 1616 North Fort Myer Dr, Suite 1100, Arlington, Virginia 22209 USA - Tel: 703 528-7474 - Fax: 703 528-7480 E-mail: mailto:omni_project@jsi.com WWW: http://www.jsi.com/intl/omni/home ******************************************************************************