Optimal nutrition care for all, from policy to action - A national nutrition program in Israel

Abstract

Background Malnutrition is a significant public health problem which includes both ends of the nutrition spectrum, with obesity and overweight at one end and under nutrition at the other. Israel is one of 14 countries in Europe which has joined the European Nutrition for Health Alliance (ENHA) whose common goals are 'Optimal Nutrition Care for All'(ONCA). Israel is unique in that the four health maintenance organizations, which provide coverage for all, are fully computerized, with big accessible data. Objective Creating national awareness for better nutrition for all the population. Methods Four subcommittees were formed to develop policy: interventions in hospitals; within the community; communication and patient opinion; continuity of care with the aid of computerized and big data tools. Results All stakeholders signed a charter which included: Implementation of weighing in all health-care settings; screening for malnutrition; creating health quality indicators; improving the nutritional quality of food served to patients in hospital settings; continuity of treatment-care sequence; promoting a healthy lifestyle for the entire population and establishing a national malnutrition registry. Conclusion Multidisciplinary teams must work together at a national level towards reaching the goal of 'Optimal Nutrition Care for All' against malnutrition.