Iodine Global Network

The winter edition of the #IDDNewsletter is here! Explore the latest in #iodine #nutrition, featuring a story on a lifelong personal commitment to #saltiodization with an IGN expert, creating resilient health communication in #SouthAmerica, a study on the double fortification of edible salt in #Mexico, the ThyroMobile #Philippines project, and more: https://lnkd.in/dqQBuwdq #Salt #Nutrition #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #Micronutrients #MicronutrientDeficiency #IDD #USI #LSFF #FoodFortification #FoodSecurity #FoodSystems

This #GivingTuesday, we’re reflecting on the impact of one simple solution—#iodizedsalt. At IGN, we’re committed to ensuring iodine deficiency remains a thing of the past, protecting children’s brain development worldwide. Read our latest blog to see how your support drives impact and keeps this vital work alive: https://lnkd.in/d_ruXzvx Thank you for supporting the simple act of adding iodine to salt—a small change that creates a lasting impact. #Iodine #Micronutrients #IDD #USI #FoodFortification #LSFF #Nutrition #Health #PublicHealth #FoodandNutrition #FoodSystems

Last week, The Economist highlighted a worrying trend that IGN has long spoken about—iodine deficiency, a preventable issue that is resurfacing, even in affluent nations. Changing diets, reduced iodized salt use, and lower intake of iodine-rich foods are leading to rising risks, especially for children. IGN's work with global partners, like the World Health Organization, has driven crucial data collection and research, which is spotlighted in the report that informed The Economist’s story. Together, we can continue advocating for programs and policies to protect children's brain development worldwide. Join us in supporting this vital work: https://lnkd.in/dm8XahPU #IodineDeficiency #PublicHealth #Nutrition #GlobalNutrition #SaltIodization #IDD #USI #FoodFortification #Micronutrients #MicronutrientDeficiency #FoodSecurity #FoodSystems

Today is World Iodine Deficiency Prevention Day, a reminder of iodine's vital role in public health. While iodine deficiency disorders like goiter have been largely eliminated thanks to salt iodization, changing diets and lifestyles may be causing iodine levels to decline again. Even mild deficiency, especially during pregnancy, can have long-term impacts on children's cognitive functions and IQ levels. Countries without mandatory salt iodization and lacking population-based iodine monitoring are at the highest risk. To address this, IGN is working to monitor iodine status globally and ensure countries can act swiftly to prevent deficiency. Let’s continue striving for a world free from iodine deficiency! Read more in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/d4XfxWee World Iodine Association Kiwanis International UNICEF Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation WHO Regional Office for Europe World Health Organization EUsalt #IodineDeficiency #PublicHealth #SaltIodization #Nutrition #GlobalNutrition #WorldIodineDay #Micronutrients #FoodFortification #LSFF #USI #FoodSecurity #FoodSystems

At the Regional Consultation on Food Fortification and Universal Salt Iodization, Iodine Global Network's Program Assessment Tool was highlighted as a crucial resource for assessing and strengthening iodine programs. Developed by IGN in partnership with UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this tool helps countries quickly and cost-effectively determine whether their iodine programs are truly optimal. The tool enables national program managers to assess iodine status and salt consumption rapidly. The faster a country can gather this data, the sooner it can take action to prevent iodine deficiency. With its traffic light system, the tool provides an easy-to-understand overview of program strengths and challenges, helping identify gaps in legislation, monitoring, advocacy, and supply. As many countries shift their priorities, the tool ensures that national iodine programs remain sustainable and equitable, driving action where it’s most needed. IGN, with support from its partners, is committed to helping countries optimize their iodine programs and protect vulnerable populations from iodine deficiency. #iodine #foodfortitification #lsff #saltiodization #micronutrients #micronutrientdeficiency #IDD #nutrition #globalnutrition #publichealth #globalhealth #malnutrition #foodsecurity #foodsystems #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment SADC Secretariat East Central and Southern Africa Health CommunityNutrition International Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Micronutrient Forum Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) FAO IGAD UNICEF World Food Programme TechnoServe East African Community

Thank you to all the participants and speakers that attended the 3rd World Iodine Association International Conference on Iodine in #FoodSystems🧂 and #Health🩺 in Baveno 🇮🇹. From 7-8 October, the event gathered global experts from the scientific, academic, medical, and industry communities, along with policymakers, to discuss the critical role of #iodine in human nutrition and health, as well as the latest advances in preventing iodine deficiency disorders worldwide. Next to insightful presentations and debates on the widespread applications of iodine and actionable strategies to address iodine deficiency on a global scale, the conference offered a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, fostering solutions that will benefit both human and environmental health.  For instance, it offered an opportunity to present the findings of the recent joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Iodine Global Network (IGN) - "Prevention and control of iodine deficiency in the WHO European Region: Adapting to changes in diet and lifestyle". Moreover, it brought together a range of organisations collaborating on the EU-funded EUthyroid2 project which focusses on improving awareness about iodine deficiency disorders (#IDD) among adolescents, the scientific community, medical professionals, as well as policymakers.   A huge thank you to all participating organisations and our distinguished speakers for their attendance, including: World Health Organization, Iodine Global Network, Thyroid Federation International, EUsalt, SQM, Ajay-SQM Group, IOFINA PLC, Samrat Pharmachem Limited, OMCeO Milano, Unilever, Nestlé, Juan Pablo Bellolio, Prof. Michael Bruce Zimmermann, Prof. Roberto Carlo Rossi, Prof. Andrea Senna, Dr. Lisbeth Dahl, Dr. Katja Hora, Prof. Dr. Pierdomenico Perata, Phd Synnøve Næss Sleire, Petrus Franciscus Lakwijk, Giulia Giombolini, Markus Lanz, Dr. Petra Klassen, Ans Eilander, Adriana Nosewicz, Arnold Timmer, Prof. Dr. MD @Henry Völzke, Linda Henderson, Prof. Dr. Festo Kavishe, Renuka Jayatissa, Dr Izzeldin Sharif Hussein, Prof. Elizabeth Pearce, Joyce Greene, Dr. Maria Andersson, PhD Inger Aakre, Dr. Sarah Bath, Clare Farrand, and Ana Maria HIGA Yamashiro. Picture credit: PRYZM Photo // Video // AV solutions

Regional coordination is key to tackling micronutrient deficiencies. From improved iodized salt coverage in #Madagascar to the development of a sustainable potassium iodate fund in #Angola, the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) has catalyzed significant progress. As it expands our efforts to all fortification initiatives, the RCM is poised to make even greater strides in #publichealth: https://lnkd.in/dTrb_34w #saltiodization #USI #iodine #foodfortification #LSFF #foodsecurity #nutrition #globalhealth SADC Secretariat East Central and Southern Africa Health Community Nutrition International Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Micronutrient Forum Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) World Food Programme FAO IGAD UNICEF TechnoServe East African Community

Exciting times for nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa! The Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM), originally initiated by IGN and UNICEF to enhance salt iodization efforts, is evolving. Over the past five years, the RCM has achieved remarkable success in addressing iodine deficiency across 25 countries. Now, we're broadening our focus to encompass all fortification efforts, setting the stage for a more nutritious future for millions. Follow updates from IGN in Mombasa, Kenya on October 15-17 as we develop an action plan that will drive this vital initiative forward. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dTrb_34w #foodfortification #LSFF #universalsaltiodization #USI #iodine #nutrition #publichealth #globalnutrition #foodsecurity Nutrition International Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Micronutrient Forum Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) FAO IGAD UNICEF TechnoServe SADC Secretariat East African Community East Central and Southern Africa Health Community

Collaboration is at the centre of the Regional Coordination Mechanism's success. Partners from Iodine Global Network, SADC Secretariat, East Central and Southern Africa Health Community, Nutrition International Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Micronutrient Forum Food Fortification Initiative (FFI), FAO, World Food Programme, IGAD, UNICEF, TechnoServe, and East African Community have come together to set the framework for an expanded RCM—a cooperation-driven, impactful initiative across the region. The Regional Consultation on Food Fortification and Universal Salt Iodization will guide the expanded efforts of the RCM and develop an action plan to enhance large-scale food fortification. #foodfortification #LSFF #universalsaltiodization #USI #iodine #nutrition #publichealth #globalnutrition #foodsecurity #foodsystems