Iodine Deficiency Disorders
UNICEF makes a case for mandatory salt iodization in Russia According to the World Health Organization, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are the most widely-spread non-infectious human diseases, affecting about 1,5 million people in 153 countries. As many as 20 million infants born annually are at risk of mental retardation caused by a deficiency of iodine. Russian people live in an iodine-deficient environment. About 75% of Russians experience shortage of iodine in varying degrees, with 50 million people in Russia suffering from various ailments caused by iodine deficiency. Pregnant and nursing women and children under three years old belong to the most vulnerable group. WHO recommends the following daily iodine intake: The human body can not produce iodine on its own. This highly essential micronutrient is absorbed with food, air and water. The simplest way to reduce iodine deficiency is to considerably increase the production and consumption of iodized salt. 95 out of 130 countries experiencing shortage of iodine have already enacted legislation on universal salt iodization. The most serious argument in favour of mass production of iodized salt is a gradual decrease in the incidence of thyroid glands afflictions among the population following the commencement of prevention activities. With gradual improvement in the level of dietary iodine intakes, the children’s level of intellectual development, their learning ability and capacity to acquire highly professional skills are also growing. The benefits of using iodized salt to prevent lack of iodine in the diet are the following: Today, the level of iodized salt consumption in Russia is one of the lowest in the world. This factor has a negative impact on health status of the population, as there has been observed lately an increase in the number of cases of cretinism among babies due to iodine deficiency during fetal development after a prolonged period of positive developments in this area. Today, iodization of salt in Russia depends exclusively on the good will of salt manufacturers; no system of economic perks and benefits is envisaged for them, and its production rates have been declining gradually. UNICEF and several competent academic and non-governmental organizations argue strongly in favour of the need of legislative regulation of all issues related to salt iodization in order to ensure large-scale IDD prevention and improve children’s and adults’ health. As early as in 2003, the RF State Duma deputies submitted for consideration the first draft of the Law on Prevention of Iodine Deficiency Disorders. The Russian Government did not approve it. In 2005, the dtaft law was amended and again submitted for consideration of the State Duma deputies. It was supported in 35 Russian regions. However, the draft law as yet has not been adopted and is still pending approval by the State Duma. Under its programme “Child Protection”, UNICEF jointly with its partners has been working to promote the draft law in question and has been carrying out prevention and advocacy activities among the public. Dismantling the Myths about Salt Iodization
ЮНИСЕФ Россия Dismantling the Myths about Iodized Salt Read more |
