Micronutrient malnutrition: Policies and programs for control and their implications

Global progress in social and economic development is occurring, although s lowly, in the most needy parts of the nonindustrialized world, where nutrit ional deficiencies, including micronutrients, remain significant public hea lth problems. Until empowering benefits accrue from development spin-offs, policy guidance for purposeful public health actions can help reduce the un conscionable toll on health and quality of life from micronutrient malnutri tion and can interrupt its intergenerational debilitating effects on nation al development. Narrowly focused control programs including homestead produ ction, plant breeding, fortification, and supplementation are in effect, bu t in general, they have not been holistically planned and integrated into o verall development programs. Such integration is needed to ensure sustainab ility into the next century. A new paradigm is needed, including a new way of thinking by nutrition scientists and program implementers that includes partnerships with the poor in all aspects of program planning and implement ation.