The very real threat of re-emerging iodine deficiency

IGN has believed for some time that the global problem of iodine deficiency is re-emerging.  A recent US  study noted that iodine levels among pregnant women were below the WHO threshold, and drew attention to potential consequences of low iodine status during pregnancy leading to reduced IQ scores in offspring.  A Canadian study of pregnant women in Quebec noted that iodine status in early pregnancy indicated less than adequate intakes, extrapolating that most pregnant women in Canada will not meet iodine requirements without supplementation. In Europe, iodine nutrition is deteriorating and has never been adequate in several countries.

Much of the decline is due to changes in diet and lifestyle – more consumption of processed food that may not contain iodized salt; a shift away from dairy, which is a major source of iodine in quite a few countries; more reliance on plant-based diets, which may not contain any iodine; and households choosing to use non-iodized table salt instead of iodized salt.  We know that these trends exist all over the world, with major implications for population health and economic development.

While IGN focuses most of its work on Africa, Asia and South America, the re-occurrence of iodine deficiency is a global phenomenon, and therefore we are active worldwide.  To draw attention to the situation in Europe and explore solutions, IGN participated in a breakfast event at the European Parliament organized by Iodine Coalition Europe, a public-private partnership dedicated to ensuring adequate iodine nutrition for Europe’s citizens. The partnership includes iodine nutrition experts, representatives of salt and broader food and iodine industries, and research and patient organizations.  IGN is a member of the Coalition and an author of the recent WHO/IGN report which has highlighted the problem in Europe.

At the event, European Parliamentarian Stefan Köhler and the Coalition called on the European Commission and European Parliament members to support initiatives that promote salt iodization, including use of iodized salt (instead of non-iodized salt) in processed foods and addressing the obstacles hindering its full implementation.

Having good insight into the national situation is of key importance for the success of iodine programs. IGN is developing tools to help countries to easily and cost-effectively assess program performance and to check on iodine status among population groups, as well as to understand whether processed foods are contributing to iodine nutrition in their country. We believe that using this improved knowledge and working in partnership with government, industry and other stakeholders is the way forward both in Europe and other regions. For many countries, working with partners to understand the barriers to progress and to overcome them, is crucial in the current development climate.  This approach uses resources more effectively, and because of collaboration and improved understanding, can lead to cost-effective and sustainable results.

While salt iodization programs are a national responsibility, it is clear both from these recent studies and from global developments that IGN’s role of tracking, oversight and provision of technical support remains crucial to protecting children from brain damage due to iodine deficiency, especially as countries face cuts to development aid.