The Medical Nutrition International Industry (MNI) has launched a new digital platform for its established MNI Medical Nutrition Dossier “Better care through better nutrition: Value and effects of medical nutrition” providing easier access to its robust evidence base on the burden of disease-related malnutrition and the value of nutritional care.
Based on a review of more than 1,200 scientific publications, the platform provides a comprehensive overview of disease-related malnutrition —a common condition associated with disease, ageing, and medical treatments. It highlights the prevalence, consequences, and economic burden of disease-related malnutrition, as well as the proven benefits of timely medical nutrition interventions.
“Disease-related malnutrition is not only a clinical and economic challenge but more importantly, it is also a matter of patient rights. The Vienna Declaration’s recognition of nutritional care as a human right has elevated the conversation beyond healthcare outcomes alone. With the launch of the digital and updated MNI Medical Nutrition Dossier, we are providing stakeholders with the evidence needed to advocate for policies that ensure access to quality nutritional care for all patients who need it,” stated MNI Executive Director, Elena Miceli.
The newest evidence highlights the scale of the problem. Disease-related malnutrition affects up to 40% of hospitalised patients and up to 70% of cancer patients with solid tumours. It is associated with poorer clinical outcomes, increased complications, reduced quality of life, and significantly longer hospital stays—by up to around 11 days in some patient populations. Malnutrition also places a considerable burden on healthcare systems through higher treatment costs and increased resource utilisation.
Designed as an interactive and user-friendly online resource, the MNI Medical Nutrition Dossier enables users to easily explore evidence, access key findings, create a personal account, and stay informed about the latest research developments. “By making scientific evidence more accessible, the Dossier aims to strengthen advocacy efforts, support evidence-based policymaking, and raise awareness of the critical role nutrition plays in patient care,” Elena Miceli said: “Ultimately, the platform is designed to help stakeholders – especially those active at national level – to translate evidence into action and improve outcomes for patients at risk of disease-related malnutrition.”
The launch of the online platform marks an important step forward in ensuring that the evidence base on disease-related malnutrition remains current and accessible. As new research comes available, the Dossier will be updated, providing stakeholders with a reliable and evolving resource to support their work and ultimately, help patients in need.