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Advantages and challenges of integration: opportunities for integrating early childhood development and nutrition programming
Author(s) -
DiGirolamo Ann M.,
Stansbery Pablo,
Lung'aho Mary
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/nyas.12323
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , variety (cybernetics) , workload , intervention (counseling) , early childhood , population , medicine , process management , business , psychology , risk analysis (engineering) , nursing , computer science , environmental health , developmental psychology , artificial intelligence , operating system
A growing body of evidence supports the notion that integrated programs addressing nutrition and stimulation provide stronger impacts on nutritional and developmental outcomes than either intervention alone. When translating evidence into practice, several advantages and challenges for integration can be noted. Combined interventions may be more efficient than separate interventions, because they are intended for the same population and make use of the same facilities, transportation, and client contacts. In addition, for families, particularly for those most at risk, combined interventions can also lead to increased access to services. However, in order for integrated nutrition and early childhood development interventions to be successful, a variety of challenges must be addressed. These include workload of staff and supervisors, communication and coordination among different ministries and among staff in different sectors, and common language and measurement. It must be acknowledged at both the national and community levels that comprehensive, integrated care addressing both the physical and developmental needs of the child is key to promoting optimal health, growth, and development for children.