Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does IMMPaCt stand for?
IMMPaCt is derived from International Micronutrient Malnutrition
Prevention and Control Program.
How did the IMMPaCt Program start?
In 2000, CDC established the IMMPaCt Program to strengthen the
epidemiologic and laboratory capacity of countries to assess micronutrient deficiencies and to monitor
intervention strategies to improve micronutrient nutrition. CDC received
congressional funding to initiate and continue these activities in support
of global efforts to eliminate micronutrient malnutrition.
What need does the IMMPaCt Program address?
CDC's IMMPaCt Program is contributing to global efforts to eliminate iodine and
vitamin A deficiency, and greatly reduce folic acid and iron deficiency.
Billions of people around the world are affected by such micronutrient
deficiencies. As a result, they may suffer from birth defects, learning
disabilities, mental retardation, reduced immunity, blindness, poor work
capacity or premature death.
Why are interventions to improve micronutrient nutrition important?
Effective and low-cost interventions such as food fortification, vitamin
supplementation, and dietary improvement have virtually eliminated most
micronutrient deficiencies in developed countries. The World Bank
estimates that it costs about 10 cents per person each year to eliminate
iodine deficiency through iodization of salt and 20 cents per person per
year to prevent iron deficiency through flour fortification.
The World Bank has estimated that widespread deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and iodine may lower the economic wealth of a nation by as much as 5% every year. Effective and lo-cost interventions such as food fortification, vitamin supplementation, and dietary improvement have virtually eliminated most micronutrient deficiencies in developed countries. The World Bank estimates that it costs about 10 cents per person each year to eliminate iodine deficiency through iodization of salt and 20 cents per person per year to prevent iron deficiency through flour fortification. (Enriching Lives. Overcoming Vitamin and Mineral Malnutrition in Developing Countries. A world Bank Publication 1994)
What micronutrient malnutrition prevention programs are IMMPaCt
involved with?
The key strategies adopted on a worldwide basis include food
fortification, supplementation, and dietary improvement programs. CDC's
primary contribution has been to provide technical assistance and training
in epidemiological and laboratory methods to assess the burden of
micronutrient deficiencies and to monitor the function and effect of
interventions to improve micronutrient nutrition. In addition, CDC has
developed planning approaches and CD-Rom based training tools to support
comprehensive micronutrient program planning and implementation. To view a
more detailed description of projects please visit the IMMPaCt
Projects and Tools page.
Can an organization or national government request assistance from the IMMPaCt Program?
Yes, requests can be made directly to the IMMPaCt Program. They will be
evaluated based on the documented IMMPaCt goals and objectives. Please
note that all assistance is provided in collaboration with our
international partners (UNICEF, WHO, USAID), who may also be approached
with requests for assistance from the IMMPaCt program.
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
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Page last updated: May 22, 2007
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion