CASE STUDY
Zinc Saves Kids
In January 2010, the International Zinc Association (IZA) launched an initiative to combat zinc deficiency in children together with UNICEF. It is the most common micronutrient deficiency in young children leading to high mortality rates, reduced physical growth and impaired intellectual capacity. The Zinc Saves Kids initiative aims to improve the survival, growth and development of undernourished children through zinc supplementation programs.
Zinc is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and is vital for growth, physical and brain development. Children require 5-10mg of zinc daily. However, one in three people – 2 billion worldwide – are at risk of zinc deficiency. Of these, 450,000 children are at risk of dying every year.
A balanced diet including meats and fish normally provides the body with sufficient zinc. In developing countries, large numbers of children are undernourished and lack adequate quantities and minerals which are essential to strengthen the immune system and fight diarrhea and infections such as pneumonia.
Zinc supplements and zinc containing multi-micronutrients can help provide children with the essential amounts of zinc to survive, grow and develop to their full potential. Zinc is especially effective in the treatment of diarrhea. In 2004 UNICEF and the World Health Organization released a joint statement on clinical management of acute diarrhea to include zinc supplementation. Recent trials in Bangladesh, Mali, India and Pakistan show that using zinc as a diarrhea treatment significantly decreases mortality rates.
In 2008, the Copenhagen Consensus – a panel of eight leading economists including five Nobel Laureates – ranked malnutrition in children as the most pressing challenge facing the world today and concluded that the provision of zinc supplements and vitamin A would be the most cost-effective solution to improve the well-being of the world. Every US $1 invested would give a return on investment of US $17 in terms of improved health, fewer deaths and higher productivity.
A 10-14-day course of 20mg zinc per day combined with oral rehydration salts compensating the fluid loss is sufficient to treat diarrhea and costs US $0.50 per child. Costs for prevention range from US $2-4 per child per year.
The Zinc Saves Kids initiative is a three year program (2010-2012) aimed at raising US $3 million from the zinc community. The money will be used to support UNICEF’s zinc supplementation programs in Nepal and Peru where more than 40% of children under the age of five suffer from zinc deficiency and its health implications. A few extra milligrams of zinc could make the difference between death and life or illness and a healthy, productive life for these children.
The Zinc Saves Kids program is an excellent investment in humanity. The engagement and support of the mining and metals community is critical to its success. Corporate contributions and personal donations are highly welcome. To learn more about Zinc Saves Kids and how to support the life-saving zinc supplementation programs of UNICEF in Nepal and Peru, visit www.ZincSavesKids.org.
CASE STUDY DETAILS
- Published
- 31 May 2011
- Company
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International Zinc Association
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