Food and Nutrition Bulletin Volume 17, Number 3, 1996 (UNU Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 1996, 104 pages): Public health nutrition: Can Africa meet the goal of eliminating iodine-deficiency disorders by the year 2000?: Conclusions

Food and Nutrition Bulletin Volume 17, Number 3, 1996 (UNU Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 1996, 104 pages)

Public health nutrition

Can Africa meet the goal of eliminating iodine-deficiency disorders by the year 2000?

		(introductory text...)
		Abstract
		Introduction
		Measuring success of iodine-deficiency disorder programmes
		Status of salt iodation programmes in Africa as of February 1996
		Has progress in salt iodation in Africa made any difference to the iodine-deficiency disorder situation?
		Factors responsible for progress in salt iodation programmes in Africa
		Major challenges in salt iodation programmes
		Sustaining elimination beyond the year 2000
		Conclusions
		References

Conclusions

This analysis may seem too idealistic to be true, especially when viewed against Africa's deteriorating trend of protein-energy malnutrition. The author has taken the perspective of a half-full rather than a half-empty glass. Certainly, there is evidence that the glass is filling up. How fast this will happen will depend on continued advocacy and allocation of resources. When something is working, there is a tendency to assume sustainability or to try to look for faults to mend instead of reinforcing the successes. This is precisely the moment to increase efforts to enhance the system for the elimination of iodine-deficiency disorders to achieve sustained elimination. The effort must not be fatigued by success.