Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Public Health Problem of Global Proportions

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common micronutrient disorder in the world, negatively affecting the health and socio-economic wellbeing of millions of men, women, and children (Baltussen et al., 2004). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), IDA constitutes a significant public health problem requiring immediate attention from governments, researchers and healthcare practitioners (McLean et al., 2008). Iron deficiency (ID) is inherently associated with poverty, and is thus particularly prevalent in the developing world where the problem is often exacerbated by limited access to appropriate healthcare and treatment (DeMaeyer & Adiels-Tegman, 1985).