Micronutrient deficiencies and gender: social and economic costs

Abstract

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies adversely affect a third of the world's people. Consequently, a series of global goals and a serious amount of donor and national resources have been directed at such micronutrient deficiencies. Drawing on the extensive experience of the authors in a variety of institutional settings, the article used a computer search of the published scientific literature of the topic, supplemented by reports and published and unpublished work from the various agencies. In examining the effect of sex on the economic and social costs of micronutrient deficiencies, the paper found that: (1) micronutrient deficiencies affect global health outcomes; (2) micronutrient deficiencies incur substantial economic costs; (3) health and nutrition outcomes are affected by sex; (4) micronutrient deficiencies are affected by sex, but this is often culturally specific; and finally, (5) the social and economic costs of micronutrient deficiencies, with particular reference to women and female adolescents and children, are likely to be considerable but are not well quantified. Given the potential impact on reducing infant and child mortality, reducing maternal mortality, and enhancing neuro-intellectual development and growth, the right of women and children to adequate food and nutrition should more explicitly reflect their special requirements in terms of micronutrients. The positive impact of alleviating micronutrient malnutrition on physical activity, education and productivity, and hence on national economies suggests that there is also an urgent need for increased effort to demonstrate the cost of these deficiencies, as well as the benefits of addressing them, especially compared with other health and nutrition interventions.

Biofortified crops to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition

“…Despite major concerted international efforts, eradication of MNM has remained a widespread and persistent global health problem in developing countries, where it continues to exact an enormous toll on individuals, populations, and society [7]. Food-based approachesdesigned to increase micronutrient intake through the diet -represent the most desirable and sustainable method of preventing MNM.…”

“…Micronutrient supply is among the main preventive and curative interventions with proven and substantial capability to contribute towards achieving these goals [12]. Widespread MNM also results in an enormous negative socio-economic impact at the individual, community, and national levels [7].…”

Responding to the crisis in sub-Saharan Africa: the role of nutrition

“…The positive association between maternal education and health and nutritional status of children is well established 32,33 . Educated women have fewer children, seek medical attention sooner for themselves and their children, and provide better care and nutrition for their children 34 .…”

Iodine deficiency and women’s health: Colonialism’s malign effect on health in Oromia region, in Ethiopia

“…Similar economic gains can be achieved by preventing low birth weight children, reproductive failure and child mortality [69]. Another study, in Ecuador, found that people with moderate ID were paid less for agricultural work (Greene, 1977. cited in [70]. More recently, the WHO study groups looked at the cost-effectiveness and benefit-to-cost ratios of micronutrient interventions, nutrient fortification and salt iodization programs; both study groups established very high benefit-to-cost ratios [68,71].…”