Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
The Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
2
The Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
3
The Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
4
Independent Consultant, Singapore, Singapore
5
Independent Consultant, New Delhi, India
Abstract
Background
Every country is affected by some form of malnutrition. Some governments and nutrition experts look to public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address the burden of malnutrition. However, nutrition-related PPPs face opposition, are difficult to form, and there is limited evidence of their effectiveness.
Methods
We conducted a literature review and 30 semi-structured interviews with individuals involved in or researching nutrition-related PPPs to identify the factors that shape their creation and effectiveness in food systems.
Results
Several factors make it difficult to establish nutrition-related PPPs in food systems: a lack of understanding of the causal pathways behind many nutrition problems; a weak architecture for the global governance of nutrition; power imbalances between public and private sector nutrition actors; and disagreements in the nutrition community on the advisability of engaging the private sector. These complexities in turn make it difficult for PPPs to be effective once established due to goal ambiguity and misalignment, resource imbalances, and weak accountability.
Conclusion
If effective nutrition-related PPPs are to be established, private sector conflicts of interest must be addressed, trust deficits between private and public sector actors must be surmounted, and evidence must be assessed as to whether PPPs can achieve more for public health nutrition than private and public sector actors working separately.
Highlights
Commentary Published on this Paper
- Advice for Food Systems Governance Actors to Decide Whether and How to Engage With the Agri-Food and Beverage Industry to Address Malnutrition Within the Context of Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems; Comment on “Challenges to Establish Effective Public-Private Partnerships to Address Malnutrition in All Its Forms”
Abstract | PDF
Authors' Response to the Commentary
- Managing Differences Among Pro-nutrition Actors on Corporate Engagement
Abstract | PDF
Keywords