Let's start by defining the scope of

our discussion.
The ASEAN region, comprising
ten Southeast Asian countries, is a
diverse and dynamic area with
significant variations in health and
nutrition status.
Despite economic progress, many
ASEAN countries face substantial
nutritional challenges, which affect
health outcomes across all life
stages.
The ASEAN region is home to over
650 million people, characterized by a
rich cultural heritage and varying
socioeconomic conditions. These
factors contribute to the diverse health
and nutritional status observed across
the region.
Malnutrition remains a critical
issue, manifesting as both
undernutrition and overnutrition.
Undernutrition, including stunting
and wasting, primarily affects
children and can have lifelong
consequences. Micronutrient
deficiencies, such as vitamin A,
iron, and iodine deficiencies, are
prevalent and contribute to various
health problems. On the other
hand, rising obesity rates and
related non-communicable
diseases, such as diabetes and
cardiovascular diseases, indicate a
growing burden of overnutrition.
In ASEAN countries, an estimated 4.5 million children under five are overweight or obese.
The "double burden" of malnutrition—where overnutrition and undernutrition co-exist—
poses significant health threats and burdens healthcare systems.
This phenomenon is evident in communities, families, and individuals, such as an
overweight yet anemic woman.
The rising costs of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) can be curtailed through the
prevention of both undernutrition and overnutrition by promoting healthier diets and
appropriate physical activity.
Multisectoral approaches combining nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions
are crucial for a holistic response to improving child and maternal nutrition.
These include exclusive breastfeeding, food fortification, micronutrient supplementation,
and addressing underlying determinants like health services, agriculture, social support,
early childhood development, education, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)
initiatives.
The ASEAN Task Force on Maternal and Child Health (ATFMCH) and UNICEF have
developed a Joint Regional Report on Nutrition Security to advocate for improved child
nutrition.
Health Equity Across
Life Stages
• A comprehensive framework is needed
to measure health equity in ASEAN
countries.
• A study found complete data for Health
Financing but limited data for Access to
Essential Medicine.
• The Philippines had the highest data
availability, while Brunei Darussalam
and Vietnam had the lowest.
• The findings highlight the need for
standardized data collection to improve
health equity assessment and cross-
regional benchmarking.
• Southeast Asia's diverse region faces significant
public health challenges exacerbated by natural
disasters and climate change. While socio-economic
development has led to health improvements, the
region remains vulnerable to earthquakes, tsunamis,
typhoons, and floods.
• Effective public policy must address these risks due
to their social and economic impacts. Regional
cooperation in disaster preparedness and disease
outbreak response is vital.
• Despite ongoing challenges, non-communicable
diseases now cause more deaths than
communicable diseases, especially in poorer
populations.
• Strengthening health promotion and disease
prevention is crucial for continuing health gains.
• Enhanced regional cooperation in health is essential
for further public health improvements across
ASEAN countries.
 Examples of Successful
Interventions
• Healthcare in Southeast Asia boasts a decades-long
commitment to innovation and advanced medical facilities
with a robust infrastructure. These collectively raised its rank
as a competitive global destination for high-quality, affordable
medical treatment, attracting patients from the region and
abroad.
• Several ASEAN countries have implemented successful
interventions to promote health equity. For instance,
Thailand's Universal Health Coverage Scheme has
significantly improved access to healthcare services,
particularly for low-income populations. Similarly, Indonesia's
efforts to combat stunting through integrated nutrition
programs have shown promising results.
 Hunger, Malnutrition and
Climate Change
• The global population faces growing hunger and food
insecurity, exacerbated by climate change, the COVID-19
pandemic, and conflicts, jeopardizing the achievement of
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by 2030.
• Climate change is expected to severely impact food
supply, particularly rice yields, and exacerbate poverty and
inequality, hindering progress toward SDG targets.
• ASEAN's Integrated Food Security Framework and the
Declaration on Ending All Forms of Malnutrition aim to
address these challenges. Policymakers must enhance
efforts to prepare for climate impacts, protect citizens' right
to adequate food, and support sustainable economic
development.
Strengthening Resilience and Preparedness

• Resilience and preparedness are vital for coping with health emergencies, such
as pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of
robust health systems and public health infrastructure. Strengthening these
systems ensures that countries can respond effectively to future health crises.
• Strengthening resilience requires ASEAN to shift their focus from managing
crises to managing risks so that their constituents will be better prepared for
what lies ahead of them.
• Key preparedness strategies include investing in healthcare infrastructure,
training healthcare professionals, and developing early warning systems for
disease outbreaks. Regional cooperation is also essential, as health
emergencies often transcend national borders.
• (1) Facilitate the establishment of partnerships and mobilization of
resources and support Member States in advancing the Regional
Strategic Roadmap for health security and health system
resilience for emergencies 2023–2027, through implementation of
the revised NAPHS in countries.
• (2) Provide global policy guidance and country-contextualized
technical tools and facilitate implementation and monitoring of
NAPHS for a stronger regional health security architecture.
• (3) Facilitate the operationalization of the Regional Diagnostic
Advisory Group, Expert Laboratory Network of the South-East
Asia Region, and Regional Genomic Surveillance Consortium in
collaboration with Member States and partners.
• (4) Facilitate the establishment of partnerships and mobilization of
resources, and support Member States in implementing the
South-East Asia Regional Roadmap for diagnostic preparedness,
integrated laboratory networking and genomic surveillance 2023–
2027.
 Reducing Health
Inequalities
• Reducing health inequalities involves identifying and
addressing the barriers that prevent people from
accessing healthcare services. Socioeconomic factors,
geographic challenges, and cultural practices can all
contribute to these barriers.
• Reducing inequality is crucial for achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This policy brief,
based on the 6th ASEAN–China–UNDP Symposium,
outlines strategies to address inequality in the ASEAN
region, focusing on jobs, social protection, education,
health, and food security, and suggests exit indicators for
monitoring progress.
 Minimizing Barriers
• To minimize barriers, it is essential to
make healthcare services affordable
and accessible. This can be achieved
through policy measures, such as
subsidies for healthcare costs, and by
expanding healthcare infrastructure in
rural and underserved areas. Health
education and awareness programs are
also crucial in promoting healthy
behaviors and reducing health
disparities.
Global ASEAN Nutrition Issue
• Nutrition challenges in the ASEAN region are
multifaceted, involving issues of food security,
availability, and cultural dietary practices. Addressing
these challenges requires a comprehensive approach
that includes policy implementation, community
engagement, and innovative solutions.
• The South-eastern Asia subregion experiences a
malnutrition burden among children aged under 5
years. The average prevalence of overweight is 7.5%,
which is higher than the global average of 5.7%. The
prevalence of stunting is 27.4% - the second highest
compared to other subregions in Asia with sufficient
data.
 Addressing Nutrition
Challenges
• Regional cooperation and policy implementation are key to
addressing nutrition challenges. For example, the ASEAN
Integrated Food Security Framework aims to enhance food
security and nutrition across member states through
collaboration and policy harmonization.
• Food security a key issue for ASEAN- In 2015, world
leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, a universal call to action encompassing 17
interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
aimed at eradicating poverty, protecting the planet, and
ensuring prosperity for all. Achieving food security (SDG 2)
is fundamental to the success of all other SDGs,
highlighting the interdependence of these goals. The
effectiveness of efforts in one area directly influences the
progress in others, emphasizing the need for holistic and
integrated planning.
 Future Directions

• Looking ahead, ongoing research and innovations are critical

to addressing nutrition and health equity challenges. New
approaches, such as using technology for nutrition
monitoring and personalized health interventions, hold
promise for improving health outcomes. Collaboration among
global and local stakeholders is essential to drive these
efforts forward.
• The ASEAN policymakers to prioritize food security by
adopting integrated, sustainable agricultural practices and
climate-smart methods. Emphasizing digital agriculture and
technological innovations can optimize resource use and
mitigate climate risks. Strengthening local and regional food
systems, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving
infrastructure are essential for resilience against supply chain
disruptions. Collaborative efforts, effective food reserves, and
robust food safety regulations are crucial for a stable food
supply and consumer health, ultimately enhancing ASEAN's
capacity to withstand future food crises.
 ASEAN leaders committed to building food and
nutrition security to address potential crises
through two key strategies: immediate action and
In conclusion, promoting healthy behaviors and
strengthening resilience and sustainability in
achieving health equity across all life stages in the
agriculture. Proposed by the ASEAN Ministers on
ASEAN region requires a multifaceted approach. By
Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF), these
creating health equity, strengthening resilience, and
strategies respond to global challenges like
reducing health inequalities, we can ensure better
population growth, COVID-19 recovery, and
health outcomes for all individuals, regardless of their
climate change. Measures include strengthening
socioeconomic status.
local resource-based food reserves and
establishing joint food reserves for emergency
preparedness.