Nutritional Anemia: Analysis of the Existing Gaps and Proposed Public Health Measures

Nutritional anemia encompasses all conditions in which the serum hemoglobin concentration falls below the normal range, due to deficiency of either one or multiple nutrients. It has been estimated that anemia affects more than 1.6 billion people worldwide and is regarded as the leading public health concern. Further, it has been identified as the most common micronutrient associated morbidity that has shown significant adverse consequences on child health, education, adolescent girls, women of childbearing age, economy and productivity of the entire country. Multiple socio-demographic, policy related and dietary factors have been recognized which often act in variable combinations in precipitating nutritional anemia. Since the maximum burden of anemia is on hard-to-reach individuals, any program that aims to minimize anemia should be accessible to those who need it the most. The immediate need is to develop a comprehensive national program with specific guidelines for individuals from different age-groups to prevent and control anemia. To conclude, well-coordinated efforts for ensuring promotion of healthy dietary lifestyle and micronutrients supplementation is the most cost-effective way to counter this public health concern in years to come.