Micronutrient Initiative

Published purpose

The project supports a Micronutrient Initiative program which aims to increase the nutritional status of vulnerable populations, specifically children under five, pregnant women, and women of child-bearing age. Essential basic health interventions are provided through health systems or community health events with the goal of reducing child mortality rates. These interventions include the provision of vitamin A supplements to help decrease the risk of disease and blindness, zinc supplements for the treatment of diarrheal disease, and adequately iodized salt to prevent severe mental impairment. By 2014, this program is expected to: save the lives of two million children under five who would otherwise have died due to vitamin A or zinc deficiency; substantially improve the cognitive development of young children; and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from severe mental impairment.