PROFILES is a process for nutrition advocacy developed by AED to quantify the consequences of malnutrition, demonstrate the huge economic and human benefits of nutrition improvement, and to display these results graphically.

In countries where an application takes place PROFILES: raises awareness about nutrition builds consensus provides a flexible communication tool builds capacity makes nutrition a priority promotes more comprehensive strategies leverages new resources better targets existing resources promotes coalitions in support of nutrition develops the leadership skills of nutrition advocates

PROFILES in Bolivia

In Bolivia PROFILES was used to develop a communication strategy that succeeded in garnering high-level political support for a National Nutrition Policy.

PROFILES in Tanzania

In Tanzania a senior level government economist credited PROFILES with helping policy-makers understand “the negative effects of malnutrition on survival, growth, intellectual development, and future productivity.”

PROFILES in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia the PROFILES process helped spur a partnership between USAID and the World Bank for health and nutrition sector development.

PROFILES in East Africa

An official with USAID’s regional office in East Africa said:”PROFILES has greatly facilitated communications. We have a core group of people in each country who are interested and influential…PROFILES enabled us to identify and energize those groups of people.”

PROFILES is managed by the Academy for Educational Development.