PROFILES, a tool and process for health and nutrition advocacy

Profiles, developed by Family Health International (FHI) 360 in 1993, with funding from various sources, is a process for public health nutrition policy analysis and advocacy using epidemiological computer-based models designed to engage national leaders by demonstrating the contribution that improved nutrition can make to human and economic development. Until date PROFILES has been applied and customized in over 35 countries around the world.

Based on the latest scientific research the PROFILES models examine relationships between nutritional problems such as growth faltering, micronutrient deficiencies, obesity etc. and quantifies the effects of these problems on various functional consequences as productivity, mortality, health care costs etc.

Profiles is used to create two nutritional scenarios for advocacy: a status quo situation if nothing is done to improve the future nutritional status of a population and an improved scenario examining the impact of proposed interventions. Results of the simulations are presented using various advocacy communication tools.

Critical advocacy results in countries of application show that Profiles has raised awareness, built consensus and promoted coalitions in support of nutrition; made nutrition a priority for policy-makers, built the capacity and developed the leadership skills of nutrition advocates, leveraged new resources etc.

Profiles public health nutrition advocacy work points towards the importance of having sound and credible research and data, continuous technical guidance to nurture the dialogue, and strong leaders to sustain the advocacy effort. Continuously addressing emerging needs such as the double burden of malnutrition are equally important.