Scientific Services - McKing Consulting Corporation

International Program Support Scientific Services

International Micronutrient Malnutrition Prevention and Control Program

The Need:

The International Micronutrient Malnutrition Prevention and Control Program (IMMPaCt) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention addresses inadequate or poor nutrition related to vitamins and minerals (also called micronutrients) in women of child-bearing age, infants, children, and adolescents in developing countries and within the United States. CDC works collaboratively with other countries to achieve optimal health among vulnerable populations by improving micronutrient nutrition, with a particular focus on iron, vitamin A, iodine, folate, zinc, and vitamin D.

Since 2006, we have provided specialized subject matter consultation and scientific and technical services to assist and extend IMMPaCt’s international reach. With in-country and local partners, we help to implement proven interventions as well as assist with modifying existing approaches; training materials; surveillance methodology; and data management information systems, interventions, and prevention programs to make them more effective and culturally appropriate for the specific populations for which they are intended.

Results:

Our micronutrient scientists are key players in planning and implementing field studies and surveys in the international setting. To ensure the results of the IMMPaCt work are available to other researchers and countries, our staff and technical experts have prepared more than 30 scientific manuscripts documenting the implemented studies. These manuscripts provide support for changing, revising, or developing policy related to food fortification.

Examples of key projects conducted with McKing’s support in recent years include the following:

Providing technical support to Uganda Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the Uganda Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and USAID to establish a national nutrition surveillance system through integrating a nutrition module in the Uganda National Panel Survey.
Providing capacity building and technical assistance to support the upcoming 2021/22 panel survey in Uganda.
Providing technical assistance with the design and planning of the National Micronutrient Survey in Burkina Faso.

Providing technical assistance on the micronutrient module in the upcoming Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center.

Scientific Services

Atlas of MS

The Need:

The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) sought epidemiological support to develop the third edition of the Atlas of MS, the most extensive worldwide study of the epidemiology of MS. The Atlas provides researchers, policy makers, advocates, and others the information needed to bring about change in the MS community. With this version, MSIF sought to broaden the Atlas’ reach by including new countries, increasing confidence in the data, and improving the accuracy of the global prevalence estimate.

Results:

McKing provided expert consultation, data management, and data analysis services to assist with creating the enhanced version of the Atlas of MS. Our team members assisted with the survey design to ensure high-quality data collection and analysis approaches were implemented.

We coordinated the dissemination and management of two online survey modules (epidemiology and clinical management) to more than 135 countries in three languages (English, French, Spanish). Experts in 115 countries responded (a response rate of 83%), including nine countries that reported in 2008 but not 2013, and 14 countries from which data was reported to the Atlas of MS for the first time. McKing cleaned and validated all survey responses to prepare the data for website and factsheet development.

We designed a confidence tool to measure the strength of the epidemiological evidence provided by each country. Additionally, we calculated the updated global prevalence of MS using a new methodology approach. Providing the most accurate and up-to-date estimate, we concluded there are 2.8 million people living with MS worldwide.

Scientific Services

National ALS Biorepository

The Need:
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) needed assistance with establishing a biorepository of specimens from persons with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) enrolled in the National ALS Registry. A biorepository would provide approved researchers with biological specimens from geographically dispersed confirmed ALS cases with a goal of propelling ALS research and eventually finding a cure. ATSDR initially contracted with McKing to conduct a pilot study to determine the feasibility of creating a National ALS Biorepository; McKing conducted the pilot study and developed a protocol with input from an expert panel. Following the conclusion of the pilot study, McKing was awarded the contract to implement the Biorepository as a component of the National ALS Registry. In addition to specimen collection, storage and distribution; McKing is also responsible for strategic marketing of the Biorepository to researchers, promoting the Biorepository through partnerships, audience outreach, materials dissemination, conference exhibits, and more.

Results:
After seven years in operation, over 1,400 participants have provided blood, urine, or saliva donation, and more than 13,000 samples have been distributed to researchers for analysis. For the postmortem component, 64 participants enrolled, and we have completed 50 collections.

Communications and Marketing Scientific Services

Zika Care Connect

The Need:
CDC sought support to improve clinical management of Zika virus infection during pregnancy and to improve access to appropriate health services—including appropriate diagnostic testing, specialized clinical care, and early intervention and developmental services—to potentially lessen the overall impact of Zika virus infection in pregnancy and improve long-term outcomes for Zika-affected children.

Results:
McKing built a healthcare professional network that included more than 1,300 healthcare professionals at 940 practice locations across the United States and US territories. The healthcare professional network was accessible through the Zika Care Connect website and HelpLine. The website included educational and informational materials; experiential approaches; interactive content; frequently asked questions; and links to resources from CDC, state and local health departments, and partner organizations. The website was available in both English and Spanish. The HelpLine was accessible both by email and by a toll-free phone line staffed during business hours and available in English and Spanish. From its launch in 2017 through December 31, 2018, a total of 17,709 unique users visited the ZCC website, and the HelpLine fielded 394 incoming communications.

McKing designed and conducted an evaluation to determine ZCC’s impact on improving access to specialized medical services for pregnant women and infants affected by Zika. The evaluation concluded that, based on the success of the ZCC program and its ability to meet program objectives, a similar framework could be used in the future to successfully establish a network of providers across a large geographic area and multiple specialties.

OUR PORTFOLIO