For Release - May 18, 2004
Warning: WHO Global Strategy Could
“Decapitate” Programs to Combat Nutrition Deficiencies
Alexandria, VA….(May 18, 2004)…”Let’s not let our enthusiasm to address excesses decapitate our efforts to overcome serious damages inflicted by nutrition deficiencies,” the world’s largest salt industry association told the incoming President of the World Health Assembly on the eve of WHA consideration of a “Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.”
The Global Strategy being debated tomorrow in Geneva at the 57th World Health Assembly “claims it is about making ‘healthy choices regarding nutrition and health,’” Salt Institute president Richard L. Hanneman told Dr. Muhammad Nasir Khan, Pakistan’s Health Minister and incoming President of the World Health Assembly. “It totally fails to address the critical nutrition deficiences of many WHA states. Its adoption virtually guarantees that public health attendion will shift towards addressing health problems associated with nutrition excesses and undermine the momentum … towards addressing and correcting the deficiency intake levels of critical vitamins and minerals.” He noted the example of iodized salt, the top UNICEF intitiative to protect newborn infants against brain damage.
Hanneman noted that 22 Latin American countries issued a consensus statement two weeks ago calling for balance in any dietary guidelines between concerns for nutrient excesses and deficiencies. He urged Kahn to convert the Global Strategy to one focused on physical activity and provide a more balanced treatment of diet and health.
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