Rebecca J. Stoltzfus

Bio: Rebecca J. Stoltzfus is an academic researcher from Cornell University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Anemia. The author has an hindex of 61, co-authored 224 publications receiving 13711 citations. Previous affiliations of Rebecca J. Stoltzfus include International Food Policy Research Institute & Goshen College.

Guidelines for the use of iron supplements to prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia

Abstract: The use of trade names and commercial sources in this document is for purposes of identification only, and does not imply endorsement by ILSI. In addition, the views expressed herein are those of the individual authors and/or their organizations, and do not necessarily reflect those of ILSI. PREFACE Iron deficiency anemia is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world today. It impacts the lives of millions of women and children contributing to poor cognitive development, increased maternal mortality and decreased work capacity. Yet with appropriate public health action, this form of micronutrient malnutrition can be brought under control. These guidelines are offered as an important component of iron deficiency anemia control programs. The International Nutritional Anemia Consultative Group (INACG) has a long standing commitment to provide scientifically sound recommendations to public health planners and managers about ways to control iron deficiency anemia. This publication is another in a series of publications aimed at providing such guidance. While the main focus of these guidelines is on iron supplementation programs and parasite control, these guidelines acknowledge the beneficial role food fortification and dietary diversification can have in controlling iron deficiency anemia. Further information on these approaches can be found in other INACG documents as well as those of other organizations. It is hoped that these guidelines, which reflect our current state of knowledge, will be useful to those charged with planning and implementing iron supplementation programs. Please feel free to send your comments regarding these guidelines, so that they might be improved at a future date. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The public health community is grateful to Dr. Rebecca Stoltzfus and Ms. Michele Dreyfuss for taking on the important task of developing these guidelines. They committed numerous hours to drafting and soliciting input from experts around the world. Ms. Rae Galloway contributed significantly to this project by providing her extensive experience on issues discussed in the section, “From Guidelines to Programs” including Table 10. Dr. Alan Fleming likewise contributed significantly to the section, “Guidelines for Treatment or Referral of Severe Anemia in Primary Care Settings.” Drs. Lorenzo Savioli and Antonio Montresor provided expert guidance on the treatment of parasites, both hookworm and schistosomiasis. INACG organized an expert panel review of the initial draft guidelines prepared by Drs. Stoltzfus and Dreyfuss. The members of this panel were: Dr. The contribution of these experts to the development of the final product is greatly appreciated. INACG is …

Iron Deficiency: Global Prevalence and Consequences

Abstract: Iron deficiency is considered to be one of most prevalent forms of malnutrition, yet there has been a lack of consensus about the nature and magnitude of the health consequences of iron deficiency in populations. This paper presents new estimates of the public health importance of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), which were made as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2000 project. Iron deficiency is considered to contribute to death and disability as a risk factor for maternal and perinatal mortality, and also through its direct contributions to cognitive impairment, decreased work productivity, and death from severe anemia. Based on meta-analysis of observational studies, mortality risk estimates for maternal and perinatal mortality are calculated as the decreased risk in mortality for each 1 g/dl increase in mean pregnancy hemoglobin concentration. On average, globally, 50% of the anemia is assumed to be attributable to iron deficiency. Globally, iron deficiency ranks number 9 among 26 risk factors included in the GBD 2000, and accounts for 841,000 deaths and 35,057,000 disability-adjusted life years lost. Africa and parts of Asia bear 71% of the global mortality burden and 65% of the disability-adjusted life years lost, whereas North America bears 1.4% of the global burden. There is an urgent need to develop effective and sustainable interventions to control iron-deficiency anemia. This will likely not be achieved without substantial involvement of the private sector.

Defining Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Public Health Terms: A Time for Reflection

Abstract: This paper provides a historical context for this meeting, which aimed to examine critically the way we have defined iron-deficiency anemia as a public health problem. The terms and concepts used to define the problem are reviewed first, followed by estimates of the global prevalence of the problem from 1985 to 2000. It is argued that recent estimates are not credible and that we must redefine the problem in terms that are important, measurable and addressable. This meeting was designed to take first steps toward that goal, namely, to identify the causal factors (e.g., iron deficiency vs. iron-deficiency anemia vs. severe anemia from any cause) that link iron-deficiency anemia to important health outcomes and to estimate the magnitude of their effects in public health terms.