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Global Distribution and Disease Burden Related to Micronutrient Deficiencies

Deficiencies in micronutrients, which are essential for human life and health, are common due to poor quality diets and frequent infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This review focuses on the deficiencies of several micronutrients—vitamin A, zinc, iodine, and iron—because of their high global prevalence and important health effects. The author asserts that additional efforts and innovative approaches are needed to reduce micronutrient deficiencies, including better quantification of the prevalence and consequences of these deficiencies to help guide and prioritize interventions.  

Nestle Nutr Inst Workshop Ser. 2014