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Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryIndustry / policy report

Micronutrient Deficiencies

WHO

2021

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Summary

This WHO publication provides an authoritative overview of micronutrient deficiencies as a global public health challenge, commonly referred to as 'hidden hunger'. It likely synthesises surveillance data on the prevalence of deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, iodine, zinc, and folate across regions and vulnerable population groups. The document is likely intended to inform national governments, health practitioners, and policymakers on intervention priorities including supplementation, food fortification, and dietary diversification strategies.

UK applicability

Whilst focused on global and low- and middle-income country contexts, the findings are relevant to UK public health policy insofar as certain population subgroups in the UK — including pregnant women, children, and older adults — remain at risk of specific deficiencies such as vitamin D, iron, and folate. UK applicability is therefore indirect but meaningful for nutrition policy and food system planning.

Key measures

Prevalence of deficiency (% population affected); disease burden indicators (e.g. DALYs, mortality rates); population groups at risk

Outcomes reported

The resource likely reports on the global prevalence, causes, and consequences of key micronutrient deficiencies — including iron, iodine, vitamin A, and zinc — and their associated disease burden. It probably outlines WHO recommendations and intervention strategies to address deficiencies at population level.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Human micronutrition & dietary deficiency
Study type
Policy
Study design
Policy report
Source type
Industry/policy report
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Human clinical
Catalogue ID
XL0238

Topic tags

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