The programme against iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).

Lack of dietary iodine causes growth stimulation in the thyroid, and some studies suggest that iodine deficiency increases the risk of radiation induced thyroid cancer.

It is also necessary to continue iodine deficiency treatment, especially in children.

Iodine deficiency is traditionally endemic in many of the areas affected by the Chernobyl accident.

Whatever the linkage, eradication of iodine deficiency carries a clear health benefit, particularly for children.

Basically, about half of the world's population is lacking in iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin A.

Some 54 countries faced iodine deficiency as a public health problem in 2003, down from 110 in 1993.

Improving the nutritional status of pregnant women by reducing the prevalence of anaemia by one third and eliminating the manifestations of iodine deficiencies.

To avoid iodine deficiency a common cause of mental retardation in children Myanmar had greatly increased iodized salt consumption to cover most households.

Key partners have included WHO, the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, Kiwanis International and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Over the last 15 years, UNICEF has led a global effort to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders, the most widespread cause of preventable mental retardation among children.

As universal salt iodization is the most cost effective way to ensure adequate iodine intake, the three countries would be well served to pass relevant legislation as soon as possible.

Practically the entire population of Belarus was exposed to radioactive iodine for several months after the disaster. As a result, the incidence of thyroid cancer, especially among irradiated children and adolescents, rose to levels unprecedented in world history.

It was recommended that the country programme extend coverage of national programmes beyond the current six provinces address the quality of services, including through the development of monitoring and evaluation plans strengthen the partnership with the iodine deficiency disorders programme and expand the vitamin A programme.

According to forecasts, however, in addition to the growing incidence of thyroid cancer among persons exposed to radioactive iodine, an increase in the number of cases of other forms of malignant neoplasm and cardiovascular and other non oncological types of disease may be expected in the years immediately ahead.

Micronutrient Deficiency Control Programmes. These include Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorder through universalising Iodized Salt Control of Iron Deficiency through Flour Fortification with iron Vitamin A Fortification of edible oil ghee and Vitamin A Supplementation for children from 6 months to five years of age as a regular part of National Immunization Days (NIDS and Sub NIDS).

27. Calls upon all States to take immediate steps to eliminate child hunger, including through the adoption or strengthening of national programmes to address food security and adequate livelihoods, as well as nutritional security, especially regarding vitamin A, iron and iodine deficiencies, the promotion of breastfeeding, as well as programmes (for example, for school meals) that should ensure adequate nutrition for all children

Similarly, providing micronutrients missing from more than half the world s diet would reduce diseases caused by deficiencies of iron, zinc, iodine, and Vitamin A with an exceptionally high ratio of benefits to cost. If we could only find the political will, establishing free trade could be achieved at a very low cost, with benefits of up to 2.4 trillion a year.

In Ukraine and Belarus, in the past three years one of the areas of UNICEF cooperation with the Government has been the protection of the health and support for the development of infants and young children through increasing the rate of breastfeeding, eliminating iodine deficiency disorders through universal salt iodization, and developing primary health care models and better parenting initiatives.

International NGOs and technical networks such as Medecins Sans Frontières, the Micronutrient Initiative, the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), the IDD Network, Helen Keller International, Oxfam, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, the International Baby Food Action Network, CARE and Plan International are involved alongside UNICEF in global advocacy, resource mobilization and country level action, including emergency response.

OK? We collude, and actually if you if someone had designed a test for me when I was doing my biology exams, to really understand, to see whether I'd understood more than just kind of putting starch and iodine together and seeing it go blue, and really understood that plants took their mass out of the air, then I might have done better at science.

Efforts in health care focus on documenting the health impact of radiation detecting and treating the thyroid cancer that has resulted from exposure to radioactive iodine in the first days after the accident and improving the provision of health care in Chernobyl affected regions and propagating healthy lifestyles an approach that aims not only to teach people how to reduce radiation exposure but to counter more potent health threats, such as tobacco and alcohol abuse and poor diet.