Health Highlights: Jan. 30, 2008 Jan 31, 2008
Previous research has suggested a link between iodine deficiency and attention deficit disorder. The study authors expressed particular concern about adequate iodine intake in women who are pregnant or nursing. (U.S. News & World Report)
Ghana - 32nd Highest Child Mortality in the World Jan 28, 2008
Through it Universal Iodisation of Salt programme, UNICEF is also supporting the Government of Ghana to prevent iodine deficiency disorders among newborns and pregnant, by promoting the household consumption of iodised slat. "Simple strategies that are effective and low cost, and can provide practical solutions, can help in the battle to reduce child mortality and improve child health in Ghana," said UNICEF Representative, Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
330000 children die every year for want of vitamin A Dec 15, 2007
A deficiency and iodine deficiency disorders continue to be high, though there is a small decline in the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders. Inaugurating the conference, D.H. Pai Panandiker, chairman of the Institute, said 75 per cent of the children in the country were anaemic, 57 per cent were deficient in vitamin A and 26 did not have enough intake of zinc. (Hindu)
Experts Urge Complete Global Access To Iodized Salt; Prevents IQ Loss And Brain Damage In Babies Dec 14, 2007
13, 2007) World experts in iodine deficiency today urged renewed international commitment to help prevent loss of IQ due to fetal brain damage by facilitating access to iodized salt for the final 30 percent of world households that don't yet have it -- most of them found in just 20 countries ... Dec. 12, the Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency and other issue stakeholders mark a major public health advance achieved in two decades: iodized salt now reaches 70 percent of world... (Science Daily)
Mobile iodisation units to fight iodine deficiency Dec 13, 2007
Mobile iodisation units to fight iodine deficiency ... The Canadian grant would also strengthen local production of iodised salt and support business and distribution capacity of women's groups in the WFP beneficiary communities in the northern regions where iodine deficiency was endemic ... Mr. Jacob Armah, Deputy Director of Public Health said iodine deficiency contributed to frequent miscarriages, stillbirths, low births weight and infant deaths. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Rise in thyroid cancer due to detection Nov 21, 2007
But there are many theories of other causes, such as exposure to low-level doses of radiation in the environment (including the practice of treating many childhood illnesses with radiation prior to 1960), iodine deficiency, genetics and a personal history of goiter or thyroid nodule. Ms. Banach also noted that women are about five times more likely than men to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which has led to speculation that there is an underlying hormonal cause. (Globe and Mail)
Battling hunger Nov 2, 2007
Lukawski said he would like to see the Kiwanis international organization take on the project, much like it did in taking on iodine deficiency. "Kiwanis eradicated iodine deficiency throughout the world and they could eradicate starvation," he said. (The News-Herald)
Civic Business Oct 29, 2007
MAJOR CAUSE: Has contributed more than $80 million toward the global elimination of iodine deficiency disorders, the leading preventable cause of mental retardation. WEB SITE. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Continued iodine deficiency, bane of educational growth- Nutritionist Oct 28, 2007
Elmina, Oct. 27, GNA- The Head of the Nutrition Unit of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Mr Jacob Armah, has expressed concern that the continued occurrence of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs) among children may hamper the objectives of the educational reform programme and the nation's developmental efforts ... The seminar, which is being attended by some members of parliament and district chief executives, is under the theme: "Together in the fight against iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) in... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Kiwanis Club installs new officers, directors Oct 10, 2007
After a gourmet dinner arranged by Estelle and Dean Kirschner, Walt Viglienzone, past president and HIXSON/Iodine Deficiency Donation (IDD) Chairman, announced that Ciardello was the surprise recipient of the prestigious HIXSON Award. The Kiwanis Club of Big Lagoon has contributed a total of $22,000 over the years to the Kiwanis International Foundation for worldwide service and Iodine Deficiency Donation. (Pensacola News Journal)
Recognizing Iodine Deficiency in Iodine-Replete Environments Sep 21, 2007
Please for full text and personal services. Volume 357:1263-1264. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Chilton County Fair returning in three weeks Sep 2, 2007
Many of the local organizations that receive mass amounts of help from the fair are: JHS Key Club, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Club, Dixie Youth Baseball, Girls Softball, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), Chilton Educational Foundation (PEECH), Morning Star Foundation, LaRocca Building Fund, Scholarships, DHR - Foster Child Christmas Fund, Clanton Elementary - Christmas For Needy, Emergency Assistance Center, Uninsured Children (Blue Cross Sponsors), Farm City Week, Library, Chilton County YMCA,... (Clanton Advertiser, AL)
Pushing iodine into nation's bloodstream Jul 4, 2007
Goiters like hers, caused by the swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck, are caused due to an insufficient iodine intake, known as Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) ... In nearby Magelang, Central Java, 30 to 50 patients a week visit the outpatient clinic at the Center for Research and Development in Iodine Deficiency Disorders ... And as a result of the multi-million dollar Intensified Iodine Deficiency Control project supported by the World Bank (1997-2003), the proportion of Indonesian... (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Ghanaian Children die of preventable deficiencies - Paediatrician Jun 13, 2007
Accra, June 12, GNA - A Paediatrician Consultant at the Department of Child Health of the University of Ghana, Dr. Onike Rodrigues on Tuesday outlined protein- energy malnutrition, iron deficiency, Vitamin A and iodine deficiency as the major malnutrition problems facing the Ghanaian child. She said poor nutrition impaired growth; child development had. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Long-time supporter named 'shining star' May 22, 2007
Serving on the board of directors for the Kiwanis Club of Pasadena and investing more than $500,000 in Kiwanis International, Cowart and his wife funded a worldwide matching fund program to eradicate iodine deficiency. The Cowarts received several honors from Kiwanis International including Life Member, Table of Honor, Founder Circle Award, Heritage Society member, C.T. Bush Award and the Pathway to the Future Construction at International Headquarters in Indianapolis was named in their honor. (Pasadena Citizen, TX)
Ghana Reaches MDG 1 May 14, 2007
She said, each year 120,000 Ghanaian babies were born with intellectual impairment due to iodine deficiency during pregnancy and that maternal iodine deficiency causes miscarriages and other complications ... " This means and end to the silent hunger of iodine deficiency in Ghana and other sister West African countries who depend on us for their supply of salt," he added. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Kiwanis Club plans antique show, sale Apr 26, 2007
Pontiac Daily Leader - News. Thursday, April 26, 2007. (Pontiac Daily Leader, IL)
Beefed-up Meatballs: Collagen Injections Safeguard Nutrients Apr 18, 2007
A lack of iodine in a diet can lead to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), such as goiter or impeded mental development, which are a considerable problem in many countries ... Professor Hans Burgi of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) in Switzerland agrees iodide in food can be unstable. (Science Daily)
World's Food Still Far Too Salty Apr 9, 2007
Professor Cappuccio also noted that Iodine deficiency is another worldwide public health problem and the main strategy to control IDD is universal salt iodization. Consequently, many countries include in their national dietary guidelines the recommendation to ensure the use of iodized salt, with obvious potentially conflicting public health messages on salt usage. (Science Daily)
Research Identifies Causes Contributing To Poor Development Of Over 200 Million Children Worldwide Mar 7, 2007
Iodine deficiency, which was shown to affect about 35 percent of children in developing countries, is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation. An analysis of 12,291 children younger than 16 who grew up in iodine-deficient areas of China were found to have IQs about 12. (Science Daily)
Malaria tops 10 causes of deaths at Oda Government Hospital Feb 13, 2007
On Iodine deficiency control in the area, the Dr Otchere said 75 percent of household consumption was achieved last year as against 60 percent in the preceding year. He said no CSM, yellow fever and measles cases were recorded last year but 86 cholera cases were recorded as against 12 cases in 2005. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Three northern regions consume less iodised salt - Nutritionist Feb 10, 2007
Hajia Amadu Azara, Northern Regional Nutrition Officer, noted that the situation was of grave concern to the Ministry due to the negative effects of iodine deficiency on the cognitive development of children and labour difficulties resulting in maternal and infant deaths ... Hajia Azara quoting the 2003 Ghana Demographic Health Survey, said 81 per cent of children of five years of age were anaemic, 72 per cent vitamin "A" deficient while over 371,000 were suffering from various forms of iodine... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Malnutrition Is Cheating Its Survivors, and Africa’s Future Dec 28, 2006
Although iodine deficiency is endemic in Amhara Province, ;I;ve been here a year, and we have no iodine in this ward,; the nurse on duty said. Beyond a blood test to estimate iron content, the attending physician said, no one even analyzes children;s nutritional status. (The Ledger)
Activists savor success in iodization fight Dec 22, 2006
Next year, the United Nations is expected to certify it officially free of iodine deficiency disorders ... Studies show that iodine deficiency is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation ... "Find me a mother who wouldn't pawn her last blouse to get iodine if she understood how it would affect her fetus," said Jack Ling, chairman of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, a committee of about 350 scientists formed in 1985 to champion iodization. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Life After Death: Dec 22, 2006
Iodine deficiency is "the leading preventable cause of mental retardation" and even moderate deficiency "lowers intelligence by 10 to 15 I.Q. points." But, after a massive public campaign, Kazakhstan has escaped this fate: In 1999, "only 29 percent of its households were using iodized salt"; now, 94 percent are. According to the Times, putting iodine in salt "may be the simplest and most cost-effective health measure in the world." Contrast that with the subject of : the overproduction of flu... (Slate)
Mayor Jenks proclaims Nov. 14 “Kiwanis Day” Nov 18, 2006
The Kiwanis Club participates in the District and International Foundation projects related to youth such as the International program to reduce iodine deficiency (IDD), which includes goiters, cretinism, mental and physical deficiencies and miscarriages in 1. 6 billion at-risk persons. (Rolla Daily News, MO)
Kiwanis Club looks for new membership to reopen doors Oct 27, 2006
Overseas, Kiwanis also works with UNICEF to combat iodine deficiency disorder, one of the world's leading causes of preventable mental retardation. IDD projects have now been funded in 95 nations. (MIllbrook Voice Ledger, NY)
Just a pinch of iodine makes all the difference Oct 18, 2006
Indonesia introduced a salt iodization policy in 1979 and is widely regarded a world leader in eliminating iodine deficiency. Despite this it's not difficult to find examples of the problem in isolated parts of the archipelago. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
An evening with Lamisi Mbillah Oct 16, 2006
"Lamisi is interested in helping Ghana to achieve universal iodization of salt, in preventing the problem of iodine deficiency disorders affecting many Ghanaian households," she said. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Jim Niquette, Resident Technical Advisor of the Carter Centre noted that their projects as doctors was to go out to the communities to find those with such diseases because people with such diseases were not willing to come to the doctors to be treated. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Iodine Nutrition — More Is Better Oct 5, 2006
To the Editor: The editorial by Utiger (June 29 issue)1 summarizes the effects of iodine deficiency. However, his recommendation of an iodine intake of 300 to 400 g per day far exceeds the following recommendations of the Institute of Medicine: 150 g per day for nonpregnant adults, 220 g per day for pregnant women, and 290 g per day during lactation. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Swift swap of the salts could stave off a looming health risk Sep 12, 2006
The move follows the re-emergence of iodine deficiency in parts of Australia and New Zealand, with the statutory agency for food regulation warning the mild-to-moderate deficiency could become worse. "If we do nothing, the current levels of iodine deficiency may become more serious and widespread ; especially among pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and young children," said Dr Marion Healy, the chief scientist at Food Standards Australia New Zealand ... Iodine deficiency is associated... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Rising to the top Aug 29, 2006
At the convention, a video was shown about children with iodine deficiency. Seeing the children suffer from congenital hypothyroidism, which can cause problems such as mental retardation, infertility and goiter, got to him. (Montana Standard, MT)
Brain food in diet . . .by order Aug 21, 2006
The move was prompted by recent reports of moderate iodine deficiency among New Zealanders and mild deficiency in some parts of Australia ... A mild to moderate iodine deficiency can reduce cognitive ability, hearing and motor skills. (NEWS.com.au)
Extra iodine call - and more for mums Aug 21, 2006
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is the most common cause of preventable intellectual impairment ... "It would be a severe imposition if they were restricted to a handful of products." Iodine deficiency could lead to significant health problems, but "having too much iodine can also cause significant harm", she said. (New Zealand Herald)
Iodised salt plan concerns Greens Aug 20, 2006
Food Standards Australia New Zealand wants breakfast cereals, breads, and biscuits to contain iodised salt to help address health problems caused by iodine deficiency ... Insufficient dietary iodine can lead to an enlarged thyroid gland - also known as goitre - or other iodine deficiency disorders ... Iodine deficiency is also the world's leading cause of mental retardation in children. (NZ City)
Aussies need more iodine Aug 20, 2006
FSANZ spokeswoman Lydia Buchtmann told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that iodine deficiency can affect fine motor skills and, if serious, can cause thyroid problems and mental retardation. FSANZ wants to replace the salt in basic foodstuffs such as bread, biscuits, cookies and breakfast cereals with iodized salt. (Political Gateway)
Public views sought on iodised salt Aug 20, 2006
Food Standards Australia New Zealand says blood tests across the populations of both countries have shown a mild iodine deficiency that has increased in the past 15 years. Spokesperson Lydia Buchtman says iodised table salt has not helped iodine levels sufficiently, as people now consume less salt. (TVNZ)
Call for foods to be fortified with iodine Aug 18, 2006
Mild iodine deficiency can affect fine motor skills, and if serious can cause thyroid problems and mental retardation. The organisation's Lydia Buchtmann says iodine has fallen victim to the modern diet, which has seen a reduction in the use of table salt. (ABC News Online, Australia -- Health)
Intensify universal salt iodization campaign Aug 15, 2006
He commended UNICEF for supporting the campaign to reduce Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD). Ms Dorothy Rozga, UNICEF Country Representative, said UNICEF was not happy that more than 120,000 children were born annually with intellectual impairment due to iodine deficiency in pregnancy. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Isle doctor recalls medical mission hazards Aug 8, 2006
Many patients had huge thyroid goiters caused by iodine deficiency and a diet based on the starchy cassava root. He said he operated from 7 a.m. into the night, nearly every day for one month on the ship. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Iodine deficiency impairs IQ Jul 26, 2006
Mr Jacob Armah, Head of the Nutrition Unit of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), told a press briefing in Accra on a publicity campaign on achieving the Universal Salt Iodisation in Ghana that Iodine deficiency lowered the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of such population as much as 15 IQ points resulting in poor school performance and high school dropout rate ... Mr Armarh expressed regret that more than 25 per cent of Ghana's population was still exposed to iodine deficiency, which put the population... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Iodine deficiency rates worry experts Jul 21, 2006
Experts say Australians are beginning to suffer iodine deficiency at rates worse than some Third World countries. Iodine deficiency is one of the world's leading causes of mental retardation ... But Professor Creswell Eastman, the vice chairman of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, says a phase-out of these is now seeing Australia slip back. (ABC News Online, Australia -- Top Stories)
Community of caring Jul 20, 2006
Jeff Towers, senior vice president of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, spoke about how over the past 10 years, the Kiwanis family and UNICEF have set out to change the world forever by eliminating iodine deficiency disorders. There has been great success improving hundreds of millions of children's lives and boosting the development of entire communities indeed whole nations. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Area homes host ‘Chernobyl Children' Jul 9, 2006
For 14-year-old Krystina Potapenko, who is visiting Mike and Laura Quinn and their two sons, Thomas, 12, and Hunter, 9, from Belarus, contaminated water and iodine deficiency are the farthest thing from her mind. hey're taught not to drink the tap water, said Laura Quinn. (Columbus Commercial Dispatch, MS)
Ghana: Parliament Moves to Save Cash-Strapped Food And Drugs Board Jul 3, 2006
The law under review limits iodization to salt only, but the LRC believes this is not enough since iodine deficiency is accountable for the numerous disorders such as mental disorders, goiter, cretinism, frequent miscarriages, still-births, low birth weight, poor eye and hand co-ordination, among others. But an official from the Attorney-General's Department revealed at the seminar that, all laws pertaining to food and related matters are being looked at in their entirety by her department and... (allAfrica.com)
Iodine Deficiency, Overload a Tricky Balance Jun 30, 2006
WEDNESDAY, June 28 (HealthDay News) -- For decades, Americans have avoided iodine deficiency by consuming salt specially fortified with iodine ... But he stressed that iodine deficiency -- not excess -- remains the principal area of concern, both globally and in the United States ... For example, despite the widespread use of iodized salt, the percentage of pregnant women with iodine deficiency "has increased in the U.S. over the past 20 years," Utiger said -- up from just 1 percent in the 1970s... (MEDLINEplus)
Over 50% of Ghanaians Risk Mental Retardation Jun 27, 2006
The current law on iodization in Ghana, the LRC observes, limits the requirement of iodization only to salt and this coupled, with other factors, account for the high iodine deficiency rate in the country. The LRC believes that if the law extends the scope of iodization to cover other products such as oil as it pertains in other jurisdictions, it will go a long way to reduce the current rate of iodine deficiency ... Other ways in which Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) manifest themselves... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
East Africa: EAC to Review External Tariffs As Dar Retains 10 Percent Duty On Palm Oil Jun 21, 2006
Salt producers using renewable resources will also be exempted from paying royalty to support government efforts in fighting iodine deficiency diseases such as goitre. Relevant Links. (allAfrica.com)
SG/SM/10478-DEV/2576 May 27, 2006
From promoting child health to combating iodine deficiency, from campaigning against disease to increasing access to education, programmes supported by His Majesty impact the every day lives of millions of his subjects. At the same time, His Majestys visionary thinking has helped shape the global development dialogue. (United Nations Press Releases)
Chinese newborns lacking enough iodine May 17, 2006
The situation affects 600,000 to 1 million newborns a year, said Chen Zupei, head of China's iodine deficiency panel, according to the official Xinhua News Agency ... About 700 million people in China suffered iodine deficiency in the 1960s and 70s, Xinhua reported. (Herald Online, SC -- Health)
Govt to continue fighting iodine deficiency with fortified salt May 17, 2006
HAIKOU, May 17 (Xinhua) -- China will go on using fortified salt to fight iodine deficiency, said health officials marking the 10th anniversary of introducing iodized salt to the people in South China's Hainan Province. "The average intelligence quotient (IQ) of Chinese children has been rising in the last decade and by now the threat of hypogenetic brain disorder caused by iodine deficiency which has affected the Chinese for centuries is at its lowest ever," said Vice Minister of Health Wang... (Xinhuanet, China)
Western China becomes focus of idodine deficiency battle May 11, 2006
BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health authorities have greatly reduced the incidence of iodine deficiency, but much work is still needed at provincial and county level, the Ministry of Health said Wednesday ... In Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan, Chongqing, Gansu and Hainan, iodine deficiency still existed and only 87 percent of the counties monitored use iodized salt, Mao said ... He said western China would be the focus for prevention of iodine deficiency, and authorities would... (Xinhuanet, China)
Malnutrition the silent killer May 3, 2006
The rate of iodine deficiency disorder among the children in Bangladesh has dropped off to 34 per cent, which was 71 per cent in the last decade. The success has come due to the fact that 70 per cent of all edible salt in the country is now iodised, which has helped to reduce the toll of iodine deficiency disorders. (The Daily Star)
Can you hear the echo of Chernobyl 20 years on? Apr 25, 2006
However, the endemic iodine deficiency, which increased absorption of the radioactive iodine 131 that was spewed into the air immediately following the explosion, puts the whole population at risk. For this reason, and because this is often the only chance most local people will get to see a doctor, Red Cross teams never turn a patient away. (AlertNet)
Sino-German program to eradicate iodine-deficiency disorders Apr 17, 2006
LANZHOU, April 17 (Xinhua) -- A German church association and aChinese foundation have jointly launched a five-million-yuan (625,000 U.S. dollars) program to alleviate iodine deficiency disorders in northwest China ... A monitoring mechanism will be established to test iodine levels and ensure scientific promotion of iodized salt in Linxia, a region with more serious problems of iodine deficiency ... China launched a program in 1993 to eliminate iodine deficiency throughout the country by 2000. (Xinhuanet, China)
Lanka's masked realities Mar 6, 2006
Monday, March 6, 2006. But what kind of life is this child going to lead in the coming years. (Hindustan Times, India)
Children's development at risk from iodine deficiency Feb 22, 2006
Children's development at risk from iodine deficiency - Children ... Children's development at risk from iodine deficiency ... More than 70 per cent of Victorian children, almost 60 per cent of those in NSW and close to half the South Australian students were in the mild to moderate iodine deficiency range. (Sydney Morning Herald)
There's something fishy about human brain evolution Feb 19, 2006
Iodine deficiency is the world's leading nutrient deficiency. It affects more than a 1. (EurekAlert!)
Scale, Toll of Gene Birth Defects Vast, Study Finds Jan 31, 2006
The authors believe that hundreds of thousands more birth defects occur because of environmental factors, such as congenital rubella and syphilis, iodine deficiency and fetal alcohol syndrome. But Howson said meager data were available to document the incidence of those problems. (LA Times,CA -- Intl)
