Elizabeth joined the Feinstein International Center in October 2008. Currently she is working with other FIC researchers on an impact evaluation of a program implemented by Concern Worldwide which aims to increase community and household resilience to shocks in eastern Chad. Previously she worked with team from the Friedman School on an impact and cost-effectiveness evaluation of the USAID-funded “Food by Prescription” program in Ethiopia. She has been involved in a number of other FIC-related projects on livelihoods, nutrition, and humanitarian futures. Elizabeth holds an M.S. in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition from Tufts University.
E-mail: elizabeth.bontrager@tufts.edu
Reports
Great strides have been made over the last 20 years in the long-term management of HIV infection in developing countries, resulting in improved immune function, reduced mortality, and prolonged survival. However, underlying malnutrition continues to impede positive health outcomes, and HIV infection in turn worsens malnutrition. The Ethiopia Food by Prescription (FBP) program, implemented by Save the Children US (SC US), USAID/Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian Ministry of Health since 2010, provides therapeutic food along with nutritional assessment and counseling to malnourished HIV+ individuals. The Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy was contracted by SC US to research the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this intervention, in order to contribute much needed evidence to guide programming and policy, both in Ethiopia and worldwide.