Iron Deficiency: A Global Health Crisis in Plain Sight

Many today believe that crises come in the form of financial instability or economic downfall, but the truth is they often begin with health.

Iron deficiency is a silent yet widespread issue that weakens millions, decreases productivity, and creates a ripple effect that affects not just individuals but also families, communities, and the economy.

Globally, Anemia affects over 1.24 billion individuals, with the frequency varying significantly across regions. In Africa, the prevalence of anemia can reach 64.6%, while in Asia, it is about 47.7%. In contrast, North America reports much lower rates, around 3.4%.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 30% of the world population suffers from iron deficiency.

Children and women are in particular vulnerable. In 2019, it was reported that 39.8% of children aged 6-59 months were anemic, translating into 269 million children globally affected by this condition.

Iron Deficiency in Pakistan

Pakistan is not far behind in iron deficiency anemia leading to a critical public health issue. The statistics indicate:

1. In children under 5, as per the National Nutrition Survey 2018, 28.9% were affected by anemia, with a commonness noted in rural areas and among male children aged 6-23 months. ()
2. Women of reproductive age were also covered in this report, stating that 18.4% experienced anemia, with rates varying between rural and urban areas: 26% in Urban and 47% in Rural settings.
3. Pregnant women, a staggering 90.5% of tested pregnant women were found to be anemic, with estimates indicating that 29% to 50% of pregnant women suffer from anemia.

The cause of iron deficiency is multifaceted, involving several socio-economic and dietary factors:

• Dietary Habits: Many populations consume diets lacking essential nutrients for adequate iron absorption.
• Socioeconomic Status: Poverty is a critical issue, with higher rates of anemia observed in poorer households.
• Education and Awareness: Lack of education regarding nutrition and health practices also plays a role. Women with no formal education have a higher commonness of anemia.

Swiss Pharmaceutical is committed to delivering comprehensive health and disease-related information to its audience. It is driven by the belief that a healthy population is the foundation of a thriving economy. By empowering individuals with knowledge, Swiss Pharmaceutical aims to foster well-being, productivity, and sustainable development for all.

References:

• Prevalence of Anemia Worldwide:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3685880/
• World Health Organization Estimates:https://bmjopengastro.bmj.com/content/9/1/e000759
• Anemia in Children and Women (2019 Data): https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/anaemia_in_women_and_children
• National Nutrition Survey (2018) - Children Under 5: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37571298/https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2861/file/NNS%20KFR.pdf
• Women of Reproductive Age & Pregnant Women: https://ecommons.aku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=pakistan_fhs_mc_med_intern_medhttps://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2861/file/NNS%20KFR.pdfhttps://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/22/3/340.pdf
• Dietary Habits & Iron Absorption: https://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/22/3/340.pdfhttps://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=72849
• Socioeconomic Status, Poverty & Education: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37571298/https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media/2861/file/NNS%20KFR.pdf