Ethiopia has created a new system called the National Information Platform for Nutrition (NiPN) to help turn nutrition research into real policies that improve people’s health. Instead of researchers deciding what to study, NiPN starts by asking policymakers what they need to know. Then it brings together people from health, agriculture, and education to collect data, analyze it, and turn it into practical advice. This approach has already helped improve national programs like school feeding and the Seqota Declaration. The success in Ethiopia shows that when researchers and policymakers work together from the start, nutrition policies become more effective and actually get used.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How a new information platform in Ethiopia helps connect nutrition research with government decision-making, and whether this approach actually improves nutrition policies
- Who participated: This was a review of Ethiopia’s National Information Platform for Nutrition system, examining how it works with government agencies, researchers, and organizations from different sectors like health, agriculture, and education
- Key finding: The NiPN system improved how nutrition research gets used in policy by starting with what policymakers actually need instead of what researchers want to study, and by bringing different sectors together to work as a team
- What it means for you: If you work in nutrition, public health, or policy, this shows that better communication between researchers and decision-makers leads to policies that actually work. Other countries facing similar challenges can learn from Ethiopia’s approach
The Research Details
This paper reviews how Ethiopia’s National Information Platform for Nutrition (NiPN) works and examines whether it successfully bridges the gap between nutrition research and policy decisions. Rather than conducting a new experiment, the authors analyzed an existing system and looked at real examples of how it has been used. They examined the structure of NiPN, how it brings together different organizations and sectors, and what results it has produced in actual nutrition programs.
The approach is different from traditional research because it doesn’t start with scientists deciding what questions to answer. Instead, it begins with policymakers identifying what information they need to make decisions. Researchers then work to provide that specific information in a timely way. The system also emphasizes teamwork across different fields—health workers, agricultural experts, and education specialists all contribute together.
Understanding how to connect research with real-world decision-making is crucial because good nutrition policies can improve the health of millions of people. For too long, nutrition research has been scattered and hard for policymakers to use. This review shows a practical solution that could be adapted in other countries. By examining what works in Ethiopia, other nations can learn how to make their own nutrition systems more effective and responsive to actual needs.
This is a review paper that examines an existing system rather than conducting new experiments, so it relies on analyzing real-world examples and case studies. The strength of this work is that it looks at actual programs that have been implemented and their results. The authors use specific examples like the Seqota Declaration and School Feeding Programme to demonstrate their points. However, because this is not a controlled experiment, we cannot say with absolute certainty that NiPN alone caused all the improvements—other factors may have contributed. The paper’s value lies in showing what is possible and providing a model that other countries might adapt.
What the Results Show
The National Information Platform for Nutrition has successfully changed how nutrition research gets used in Ethiopia by shifting from a researcher-driven model to a policy-driven model. Instead of researchers deciding what to study and then hoping policymakers will use the results, NiPN starts by asking government officials and program managers what decisions they need to make. This ensures that research directly addresses real problems.
The platform brings together people from multiple sectors—health, agriculture, education, and others—to work as a coordinated team. This teamwork helps ensure that nutrition solutions consider all angles, from growing nutritious food to teaching people about healthy eating to providing school meals. By working together from the beginning, these different groups can share information and create more comprehensive solutions.
NiPN has demonstrated success in improving actual nutrition programs in Ethiopia. For example, it helped strengthen the Seqota Declaration, which is a national commitment to ending child malnutrition, and improved the School Feeding Programme by providing better data about which students need help most. These real-world improvements show that the system is not just creating reports that sit on shelves—it is actually changing how programs operate.
The review also found that NiPN addresses several major obstacles that typically prevent research from being used in policy. These obstacles include limited capacity within government agencies, poor coordination between different organizations, and difficulty translating complex research into practical guidance. By embedding researchers within institutional processes and tailoring information to specific policy needs, NiPN has reduced these barriers. The platform has also improved national ownership of nutrition initiatives, meaning that Ethiopian organizations and leaders feel more invested in and responsible for nutrition improvements rather than depending entirely on outside experts.
The traditional approach to research-to-policy has often failed because researchers and policymakers operate on different timelines and speak different languages. Researchers may take years to complete studies and publish results in academic journals that policymakers never read. Policymakers need answers quickly to make decisions about programs and budgets. NiPN represents a significant shift from this old model. While other countries have attempted to bridge this gap with varying success, Ethiopia’s approach of starting with policy questions and embedding research in institutional processes offers a more systematic solution. This model appears to be more effective than simply trying to communicate research findings after the fact.
This review examines an existing system rather than testing it through controlled experiments, so we cannot be completely certain that NiPN alone caused all the improvements observed. Other factors, such as increased funding or political commitment to nutrition, may have also contributed. The paper focuses primarily on Ethiopia’s experience, so we do not yet know how well this approach would work in other countries with different political systems, resources, or organizational structures. Additionally, the long-term sustainability of NiPN and whether its benefits will continue over many years remains to be seen. The review also does not provide detailed information about the costs of running such a system or whether all countries have the resources to establish similar platforms.
The Bottom Line
If you are involved in nutrition policy or public health: Consider adopting a policy-driven approach where you identify what decisions need to be made before commissioning research. Bring together people from different sectors early in the process rather than working in isolation. Create systems that make research findings easy for decision-makers to understand and use quickly. (Confidence: Moderate—based on real-world examples but not controlled experiments)
Government nutrition and health officials, policymakers, nutrition researchers, international development organizations, and countries trying to improve their nutrition programs should pay attention to this approach. It is particularly relevant for countries with fragmented nutrition systems or where research is not being used effectively. Researchers who want their work to actually improve people’s lives should especially consider these lessons about working more closely with policymakers from the start.
Changes in how research gets used in policy can happen relatively quickly—within months to a year—once systems are in place. However, seeing actual improvements in nutrition outcomes (like reduced malnutrition in children) typically takes longer, usually 2-3 years or more, because it takes time for policies to be implemented and for people to benefit from them.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If you are a nutrition program manager, track how often research findings are actually used in your policy decisions each month. Count the number of policy decisions informed by data versus decisions made without evidence. Set a goal to increase evidence-based decisions over time.
- Start a monthly meeting with your team that includes people from different departments (health, agriculture, education, etc.) to identify what nutrition questions you need answered. Then work with researchers to get that specific information rather than waiting for general research to be published.
- Establish a simple tracking system that documents which research findings led to policy changes and what outcomes resulted. Review this quarterly to see whether the connection between research and policy is improving. Share successes and lessons learned with other organizations doing similar work.
This review describes how one country’s system for connecting nutrition research to policy works and offers lessons for other settings. It is not medical advice for individuals. If you have questions about your own nutrition or health, please consult with a healthcare provider. The findings described represent one country’s experience and may not apply equally to all settings. Before implementing similar approaches in your own context, consider your local resources, political environment, and organizational capacity. This paper is intended for policymakers, researchers, and program managers rather than for individual health decisions.