Iron for Africa—Report of an Expert Workshop

This workshop report summarizes the experiences of experts from nine countries around iron interventions in Africa. Infections, parasitism, and poor eating habits are primarily to blame for the prevalence of iron deficiency, and yet country-comparable prevalence estimates are still needed. The benefits of iron interventions are uncontested, but may cause pathogen growth in areas where malaria and other infections are common. Efficacy and coverage of iron interventions could improve through better access, increased awareness, and a reduction in costs. Increasing bioavailable iron forms can help decrease the iron dose, which could potentially reduce the risk of infections.