By Silvia Alayon, Director of Measurement, and Courtney Meyer, Publications Manager

Often referred to as “hidden hunger,” micronutrient deficiencies can have a deleterious effect on individuals, families, and communities. Worldwide, deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, zinc, and folate, among others, compromise immune systems, hinder child growth and development, and limit human capital.

Nutrition and global health practitioners and researchers often mention that two billion people globally suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. However, for the last three decades, the methods used to make this prediction have not been readily available for researchers to update the estimate.