Summary
This Ethiopian cost-effectiveness analysis quantifies the burden of zinc deficiency (0.55 million annual DALYs, predominantly from mortality) and evaluates zinc agronomic biofortification of staple cereals as a mitigation strategy. Foliar zinc application emerged as more cost-effective than granular application, with costs of US$226–496 per DALY averted, and combining foliar application with existing pesticide spraying further reduced costs to US$260–353 per DALY saved. Teff and wheat were identified as the most cost-effective intervention crops, suggesting zinc biofortification represents a potentially feasible public health strategy for Ethiopia.
UK applicability
The UK has established food fortification and micronutrient supplementation programmes rather than relying on agronomic biofortification, and zinc deficiency is not a major public health burden in the population. However, the study's methodology for estimating zinc deficiency burden and cost-effectiveness thresholds may inform evaluation of fortification strategies in lower-income settings or migrant populations with dietary zinc inadequacy.
Key measures
DALYs lost annually due to zinc deficiency; percentage burden reduction under pessimistic and optimistic scenarios; cost per DALY averted (US$ currency); fertiliser response ratios; baseline dietary zinc intake and cereal consumption
Outcomes reported
The study quantified the cost-effectiveness of zinc agronomic biofortification (via granular and foliar zinc fertiliser application) for reducing zinc deficiency burden in Ethiopia, measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted and cost per DALY saved. It compared the public health benefits and economic feasibility of biofortifying maize, teff, and wheat across optimistic and pessimistic implementation scenarios.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.