Current issues for improving iodine nutrition

A cross-track session with Tracks 1 and 2, this session will present new evidence on the median urinary iodine concentration that indicates optimal iodine intake during pregnancy, discuss a new tool to assess inclusion of iodized salt in processed foods and it's potential use for salt reduction efforts. It will describe the changing landscape for salt iodization programs and emerging innovations that can help ensure sustainable achievement of optimal iodine nutrition.

Presentations:

• Introduction: Current issues for improving iodine nutrition
  Jonathan Gorstein, PhD – Iodine Global Network
• Update on global progress achieved through Universal Salt Iodization and strategic programmatic shifts necessary to sustain these achievements
  Robin Houston, md mph – Iodine Global Network
• Establishing a new median urinary iodine concentration range that indicates optimal iodine intake during pregnancy using dried-blood spot thyroglobulin
  Maria Andersson, PhD – University Childrens Hospital Zurich
• Pilot testing new programme guidance on the use of iodised salt in processed foods and condiments
  Jacky Knowles, PhD – Iodine Global Network
• Improving Public Health by Optimizing Iodine and Sodium Intakes or Joint strategies for salt iodization and salt reduction in public health
  Rajan Sankar, MD – Iodine Global Network
• Assessing scalability considerations and exploring drivers and spaces to scaling-up Double Fortified Salt: lessons from a pilot intervention in India
  Meena Jadhav, MPH (Global Health) – Independent Consultant
• Q&A: Current issues for improving iodine nutrition
  Jonathan Gorstein, PhD – Iodine Global Network