A comparison of prevention and control measures and strategies of iodine deficiency disorders between China and Russia / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Iodine is one of the essential trace elements for human body. Its main physiological function is to synthesize thyroid hormones, which are involved in the development and metabolism of the body. Although China has achieved the goal of eliminating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), people ignore the general iodine deficiency in the environment, and they are worried about excessive iodine intake and reduce the consumption of iodized salt. This may lead to a comeback of IDD, especially in high-risk groups such as pregnant women, breastfeeding women, adolescents and children. Russia is a geographically iodine-deficient country either. Russia was assessed by Iodine Global Network (IGN) as the third most severely iodine-deficiency country in 2019, and the actual average iodine consumption of Russian residents was less than 1/3 of the minimum standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Compared with Russia, China has basically eliminated IDD due to implementation of iodized salt and application of real-time and effective monitoring systems. Therefore, this paper compares the monitoring and prevention strategies of IDD between China and Russia, in order to learn from each other and improve the citizens' awareness of prevention and control of IDD in China and Russia, and to achieve correct, scientific and precise iodine supplementation.