Methodological guidelines to evaluate public health policies, and assessment of food and nutritional security policies

Abstract

To evaluate the Food and Nutrition Security Policy of Colombia (PSAN by its acronym in Spanish). A qualitative formative evaluation was applied, based on an academic focus, to validate the methodology established by the "Methodological guidelines for the assessment and analysis of public health policies." This evaluation inquired about the following aspects: Does the design of the Food and Nutrition Security Policy comply with the coherence between the problem, the proposed solutions and the proposed measures? What is the progress in objective compliance during the implementation? The Nutritional Food Security Policy (PSNP in Spanish) is pertinent and consistent with the diagnosis. Its objectives and strategies correlate, and aim to solve the problem of food and nutrition insecurity of the entire population of the country, especially, the poorest and more vulnerable. This policy is relevant because the activities programmed in the action plan of the National Plan for Food and Nutrition Security 2012-2019 are aligned with the needs and priorities of the territory, and with the institutional offer of the entities that participate in the development of the policy. Redesigning PSAN according to the current dynamics of the country in terms of international commitments, the objectives of sustainable development, the right to food, sovereignty and governance in food and nutrition security, and the approach of social determinants in health.