Summary
This paper by Stein (2010), published in Food Policy, assesses the global health and economic impacts of biofortification as a strategy to address micronutrient malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries. Drawing on epidemiological and economic modelling, the paper likely argues that biofortification of staple crops — such as iron, zinc, or vitamin A enrichment — represents a cost-effective public health intervention relative to conventional supplementation or fortification programmes. The analysis provides a framework for evaluating biofortification's contribution to reducing the burden of micronutrient deficiency diseases at scale.
UK applicability
The findings are primarily relevant to low- and middle-income countries where micronutrient deficiencies in staple-crop-dependent populations are prevalent; applicability to the UK is limited, though the paper may inform UK-funded international development and food security policy, and broader debates around crop breeding strategies.
Key measures
Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted; cost-effectiveness (cost per DALY averted); micronutrient intake estimates; prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies
Outcomes reported
The paper examined the potential health and economic impacts of biofortification — the process of increasing the nutritional value of staple crops through breeding or agronomic practices. It likely reported estimates of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted and cost-effectiveness ratios for biofortification interventions targeting micronutrient deficiencies.
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