About the CAN Program
Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition program’s work is guided by the Global Strategy for Women’s Children’s and Adolescent’s Health (2016-2030), whose over-arching objectives are to: end preventable mortality (Survive); enable women, children and adolescents to enjoy good health (Thrive) while playing a full role in contributing to transformative change and sustainable development (Transform) and is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The work on nutrition is guided by the Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (2012-2025). Adolescent work is further articulated in the Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA! Guidance).
The program aims to end preventable deaths, promote good health and well-being of Children, Adolescents and Youths as part of the life-course continuum; and to improve the nutrition status of all age groups; taking into account the need to address health equity, universal health coverage, social determinants of health and human rights.
The objectives of the program are:
• To support countries to develop, implement and monitor integrated, evidence-based policies, strategies, comprehensive action plans that increase access to high-impact interventions, reduce risks and improve the overall health and nutrition of newborns, children, adolescents and adults at all levels of the health care delivery system with appropriate linkages to community resources.
• To support countries adopt/adapt standards, norms and guidelines to improve quality of care for children and adolescents and nutrition services for all age groups.
• To support countries in translating global nutrition guidelines and norms into actions to address the double burden of malnutrition throughout the lifecycle.
• To buildtechnical capacity of countries in the application of standards, guidelines and tools.
• To monitor trends of the health status of children and adolescents, and nutrition status of all age groups as well coverage and quality of interventions across countries of the WHO Africa Region.
• To support countries to mobilize domestic and external resources to improve the health of children and adolescents.
The program covers:
• Child Health and Development
• Adolescent, Youth and School Health
• Nutrition and Food Safety for all age groups
Contact for CAN Program:
Dr Phanuel HABIMANA
Program Area Manager, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition,
Email: habimanap [at] who.int (habimanap[at]who[dot]int)