Iron Deficiency Anemia

Running head: IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA 1
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Name
Institution

IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA 2
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Discuss Iron Deficiency Anemia and Its Worldwide Prevalence
Iron Deficiency anemia is a type of anemia whereby the body lacks sufficient iron. The
lack of iron is as a result of insufficient healthy red blood cells in the blood. Since the red blood
cells is in charge of the transportation of oxygen to the body tissues, its low count results into
anemia. According to Camaschella (2015), the red blood cells cannot efficiently transport
oxygen if there is less iron. Iron deficiency anemia affects the population of all age group and
sex. The global prevalence of anemia was 32.9% in 2010 and most of the cases were as a result
of insufficient iron (Lopez, Cacoub, Macdougall, & Peyrin-Biroulet, 2016). De Benoist,
Cogswell, Egli, and McLean (2008) argue that research conducted by World Health Organization
between 1993 and 2005 reveal that the global prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 24.8%.
Why Is It A Public Health Concern?
Iron deficiency anemia is a public health concern because it affects people of all ages and
sexes. It has negative consequences to the health of human beings as well as the social and
economic developments. The most common impact of iron deficiency anemic condition is
increased maternal and child mortality risks.
Prevention and Treatment Solutions
Iron deficiency anemia can be as a result of a person’s lack of ability to absorb iron,
insufficient iron in the diet, loss of blood or even pregnancy (Mayo Clinic, 2016). Therefore, to
help prevent this condition, an individual should consume food rich in iron as well as those
containing vitamin C so as to so as to enhance the absorption of iron. In infants, iron deficiency