Using Nutrition Science to Promote Sustainable Development in Africa Effective and Efficient Use of Agricultural Science, Technology, Research as Tools for Development in Africa The Foundation for Democracy in Africa September 17, 2004

Overview

1. Beans for Health Alliance  Malnutrition and HIV/AIDS Continues to Threaten Sustainable Development  BHA Background and Major Initiatives 2. Ways we can work together

Malnutrition and HIV/AIDS Continues to Threaten Sustainable Development

•

More than 18 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa have died from AIDS

•

An “orphan crisis” has developed because parents die from AIDS or because HIV+ babies are abandoned

•

A century of progress in Sub-Saharan Africa is being wiped out due to AIDS

Devastating Cascade of Events Needs to be Stopped

Food Insufficiency Malnutrition HIV/AIDS Unemployment Poverty

It’s a vicious cycle: Malnutrition and HIV

Insufficient dietary intake Malabsorption, diarrhea Altered metabolism and nutrient storage Increased HIV replication Hastened disease progression Increased morbidity Nutritional deficiencies Increased oxidative stress Immune suppression

Source: Semba and Tang 1999.

Devastating Cascade of Events Needs to be Stopped

Food Insufficiency HIV/AIDS Unemployment Poverty

Beans for Health Alliance

• USAID Grant - $1.5 million, match required • Public/private partnership – Partners represent growers, shippers, dealers, manufacturers, research scientists and non profit organizations in nutrition and hunger

BHA belief

Communicating the health benefits of beans will promote increased consumption and will address global health concerns in an economical and sustainable manner

BHA mission

Fund bean research and promote their health benefits around the world

Beans for Health Alliance Vision

Phase I: Demonstrate that regular consumption of beans can improve nutrition status and impact disease Increase production, which would result in more income for farmers and processors Phase II: Develop educational/promotional programs that promote health benefits of these staple crops Increase consumer demand for these staple crops

• • • • •

Planned BHA Initiatives

Fund research to discover the unique attributes of beans in relation to nutrition and health and disease prevention Educate public health officials around the world about the health benefits of beans Participate in key conferences Sponsor an international conference to bring together world bean nutrition experts Establish a website that serves as the primary resource for bean-related research at www.beansforhealth.org

•

BHA recently awarded 4 research grants

Michigan State University, Sokoine University

beans ability to improve nutrition and immune status of African children and women,

Lorraine Weatherspooon, Dr. Theobold Mosha –

Evaluating

Drs. Maurice Bennink and •

Arizona State University -

Impact of Pinto and Cowpea Consumption on Heart Disease and Type-2 Diabetes,

Drs. Donna Winham, Carol Johnston and Andrea Hutchins •

USDA/ARS Human Nutrition Research Center –

Impact of Pinto Bean Consumption on Colon Health in Humans,

Drs. John Finley and Philip Reeves •

Colorado State University –

Understanding unique nutritional attributes of different bean market classes,

Drs. Mark Brick and Henry Thompson,

• • • • •

Planned BHA Initiatives

Fund research to discover the unique attributes of beans in relation to nutrition and health and disease prevention Establish a website that serves as the primary resource for bean-related research at www.beansforhealth.org

Educate public health officials around the world about the health benefits of beans Participate in key conferences Sponsor an international conference to bring together world bean nutrition experts

BHA Website Established www.beansforhealth.org

• • • • •

Planned BHA Initiatives

Fund research to discover the unique attributes of beans in relation to nutrition and health and disease prevention Establish a website that serves as the primary resource for bean-related research at www.beansforhealth.org

Educate public health officials around the world about the health benefits of beans Participate in key conferences Sponsor an international conference to bring together world bean nutrition experts

International Conference

• In conjunction with the International Congress of Nutrition – Durban, South Africa September 19-24, 2005 • Symposium • Workshop • Poster session

BHA Ambition

• Increase worldwide bean consumption • Achieve a demand economy for beans • Reduce chronic disease • Reduce malnutrition cost effectively • Allow HIV positive populations to live healthier, longer lives • Promote sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa

Ways we can work together

• Partner to influence influencers (public health officials) • Partner to conduct more research in improving nutrition status using bean-based foods

Join the BHA!

This presentation was made possible through support provided by the Office of Agriculture, Bureau for Economic Growth Agriculture Trade, U.S. Agency for International Development, under the terms of Award No. REE-A-00-03-00094-00. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development

Contact Us

Stacey A Zawel, PhD

Executive Director Beans for Health Alliance P.O. Box 127 Accord, MA 02018-0127 U.S.A.

Phone: (781) 749-6844 Fax: (309) 439-3210 Email: [email protected]

Web: www.beansforhealth.org