Commentary: Experiences and Challenges in Industrialized Countries

: Industrialized nations have been successful in reducing incidences of iron deficiency through utilization of multifaceted strategies that build on the capabilities of successful alliances between the public and private sectors. In comparison to developing nations, which have an estimated prevalence of iron deficiency of approximately 40%, the prevalence in industrialized countries is approximately 5%. Such low rates were achieved by various initiatives including widespread availability of affordable iron-fortified foods and implementation of national, science-based programs. Despite these successes, however, iron deficiency remains a critical problem among certain subpopulations (e.g., people of low socioeconomic status or recent immigrants who do not consume iron-fortified foods). Strengthening alliances among the private and public sectors and academia in communications efforts about iron deficiency and promoting iron-rich foods as well as iron-fortified foods is necessary to reduce iron deficiency in these populations.