Salt iodization - investment to sustainable development of the younger generation
The new joint report by the UN Children's Fund and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has estimated global extent of risk in childhood development. As reported, 19 million or 14 % of newborns worldwide are at risk of brain diseases and mental disorders due to iodine deficiency in the mother's body during the perinatal period, or in the child's body during the first years of life.
The biggest groups at risk live in South Asia, East and South Africa. In these parts of the world, 4.3 million and 3.9 million children respectively remain vulnerable to iodine deficiency disorders annually. However, as the “Brighter futures: Protecting early brain development through salt iodization” stresses, it is a challenge for countries and governments, rather than for individual families.
The decline of children’s IQ by 8-10 points will have a negative impact on the general intellectual development of the people, and therefore on the socio-economic progress.
However, the problem of iodine deficiency has a way out – using iodized salt. It helps pregnant women and children receive the necessary amount of iodine – microelement, ensuring the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and responsible for the normal work of the central nervous system, the growth and development of children.
The enrichment of salt with iodine is both effective and cost-effective solution. Because every dollar spent on salt iodization is estimated to pay off at $ 30 in the future by increasing the cognitive capabilities of the younger generation's brain.
In Europe and Central Asia, salt iodization has become an integral part of the production practices of the salt industry, as noted by UNICEF.
In 2004, Turkmenistan became the first country in the CIS and Central Asian, and the fourth in the world in terms of achieving total salt iodization in accordance with international standards. 97% of the population of Turkmenistan has been covered with iodized salt.
Iodine Global Network and UNICEF, in close collaboration with the Ministry of health and medical industry of Turkmenistan support ongoing monitoring of the salt iodization programme.
