Iodine Status in Europe in 2014

Abstract

Iodine deficiency has been recognised as a worldwide problem since the last century [1]. The International Council for Iodine Deficiency Disorders Global Network (ICCIDD GN) has underpinned remarkable progress in ameliorating this problem during the last nearly 30 years and especially during the last decade [2]. The number of iodine-deficient countries in the world has decreased from 54 in 2003 to 47 in 2007 and 32 in 2011 [3]. This remarkable rate of progress has been largely due to intensive work by the ICCIDD GN, UNICEF and WHO. Nevertheless, of these 32 countries, 11 (34%) are in Europe, the largest number from any continent [3].