Volume 35, Issue 1 (3-2026)
JGUMS 2026, 35(1): 0-0 |
Back to browse issues page
Research code: none
Ethics code: none
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Jalali S Z. Anemia as a global health issue. JGUMS 2026; 35 (1)
URL: http://journal.gums.ac.ir/article-1-2865-en.html
URL: http://journal.gums.ac.ir/article-1-2865-en.html
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, 17 Shahrivar Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Abstract: (17 Views)
Anemia is a global health problem affecting one-third of the world's population, especially children under five years of age and women and girls aged 15–49 years [1, 2]. While its global prevalence has decreased relative to 1990–2021, the absolute number of people affected has increased due to population growth. [3] Anemia is a cause of low birth weight, prematurity, cognitive and motor deficits in children and a 60% increase in maternal and infant mortality. Its public health, social and economic consequences are significant in all countries of the world [4, 5]. According to the WHO report in 2025, 37% of women of reproductive age in the world will be anemic, most of whom live in Africa and Asia [1, 6] Drawing on up-to-date evidence, this editorial emphasizes the need for multifaceted and integrated strategies to address the root causes of this pervasive crisis.
Anemia is defined as a decrease in hemoglobin concentration below normal levels, causing symptoms such as fatigue, decreased physical work capacity, and shortness of breath. Mechanisms that cause anemia include ineffective erythropoiesis, hemolysis, and blood loss.[3-5] In general, the three main causes of anemia include nutritional deficiencies (e.g., iron deficiency), hemoglobinopathies, and malaria.[1, 7] To break the cycle of anemia, we need to move beyond a single-factor (“iron only”) perspective. Although iron deficiency accounts for approximately 50% of anemia in women and 42% in children under 5 years of age[6, 8], its correct diagnosis and grading based on age, sex, and physiological status is a critical first step for appropriate intervention. Table 1 shows the standard WHO criteria for this purpose[9, 10].
These criteria provide a basis for timely screening and intervention. In addition, it should be remembered that the causes of anemia vary in different geographical regions, thus highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis and targeted intervention:
There is no single solution to this crisis. Success depends on the simultaneous and integrated implementation of a package of interventions. Nutritional prevention and treatment, including targeted iron and folic acid supplementation for women of childbearing age and pregnant women and children [10], fortification of flour, salt, and oil with micronutrients, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, and timely introduction of foods rich in absorbable micronutrients and probiotics to increase iron absorption, are part of this strategy [15, 16]. Also, controlling infectious diseases, promoting public health, improving access to safe and hygienic drinking water, providing quality reproductive health care (including delaying umbilical cord clamping to increase the infant's iron stores), implementing community-based educational programs, and strengthening surveillance systems are other feasible solutions.
Anemia is an old problem with new and well-known solutions. What we need today is urgent action, sustainable funding and collaboration between the health, agriculture, education and development sectors. Reducing anemia is included as one of the six global nutrition targets of the World Health Assembly in the Comprehensive Action Plan for Maternal, Newborn and Young Child Nutrition. In addition, anemia in women aged 15 to 49 is one of the targets of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development [16].Investing in the fight against anemia is investing in human capital, accelerating economic growth and building a fairer and healthier future for all. Let us not let this silent crisis kill future generations in silence. It is time for integrated preventive action and treatment.
Anemia is defined as a decrease in hemoglobin concentration below normal levels, causing symptoms such as fatigue, decreased physical work capacity, and shortness of breath. Mechanisms that cause anemia include ineffective erythropoiesis, hemolysis, and blood loss.[3-5] In general, the three main causes of anemia include nutritional deficiencies (e.g., iron deficiency), hemoglobinopathies, and malaria.[1, 7] To break the cycle of anemia, we need to move beyond a single-factor (“iron only”) perspective. Although iron deficiency accounts for approximately 50% of anemia in women and 42% in children under 5 years of age[6, 8], its correct diagnosis and grading based on age, sex, and physiological status is a critical first step for appropriate intervention. Table 1 shows the standard WHO criteria for this purpose[9, 10].
These criteria provide a basis for timely screening and intervention. In addition, it should be remembered that the causes of anemia vary in different geographical regions, thus highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis and targeted intervention:
- Infections and inflammation: Malaria is one of the three leading causes of anemia worldwide, and its control, especially in African countries, can reduce anemia by up to 25% [7]. Other chronic infectious diseases and helminthic infections (such as hookworm) also contribute by causing chronic bleeding.
- Micronutrient deficiencies: Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent in low-income countries, along with vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, which interfere with the production of healthy red blood cells[11].
- Genetic disorders: More than 300,000 babies are born each year with hemoglobin disorders such as thalassemia, which is a major cause of anemia[12]
- • Social determinants: Poverty, inadequate access to safe water and nutritious food, and gender inequality (such as unfair distribution of food within the family) profoundly affect the risk of infection.
There is no single solution to this crisis. Success depends on the simultaneous and integrated implementation of a package of interventions. Nutritional prevention and treatment, including targeted iron and folic acid supplementation for women of childbearing age and pregnant women and children [10], fortification of flour, salt, and oil with micronutrients, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, and timely introduction of foods rich in absorbable micronutrients and probiotics to increase iron absorption, are part of this strategy [15, 16]. Also, controlling infectious diseases, promoting public health, improving access to safe and hygienic drinking water, providing quality reproductive health care (including delaying umbilical cord clamping to increase the infant's iron stores), implementing community-based educational programs, and strengthening surveillance systems are other feasible solutions.
Anemia is an old problem with new and well-known solutions. What we need today is urgent action, sustainable funding and collaboration between the health, agriculture, education and development sectors. Reducing anemia is included as one of the six global nutrition targets of the World Health Assembly in the Comprehensive Action Plan for Maternal, Newborn and Young Child Nutrition. In addition, anemia in women aged 15 to 49 is one of the targets of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development [16].Investing in the fight against anemia is investing in human capital, accelerating economic growth and building a fairer and healthier future for all. Let us not let this silent crisis kill future generations in silence. It is time for integrated preventive action and treatment.
Review Paper: Letter to Editors |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/02/11 | Accepted: 2026/02/16 | Published: 2026/03/30
Received: 2026/02/11 | Accepted: 2026/02/16 | Published: 2026/03/30
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Copyright © The Author(s);
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-By-NC),which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited and is not used forcommercial purposes.
Contact Information
