Experts warn that the nation faces a ‘silent crisis’ of vitamin and mineral deficiencies
March 26, 2024
Europe faces nutritional deficiencies that are affecting children’s development and inhibiting the healthy aging of older people, experts have warned.
Professors Kevin Cashman and Mairead Keeley from University College Cork warned that the general population is facing a micronutrient (MN) deficiency crisis, but the scale of the problem is still unknown.
MN deficiency results from inadequate intake or absorption of essential minerals and vitamins, affecting healthy growth and development in children and healthy aging in older adults. The scale of this problem, which affects most population groups, its health impacts, and costs to the health sector and economic development are unknown.
This issue is of particular concern, affecting groups including children, adolescents, pregnant women, the elderly, immigrant communities, and people affected by social inequalities. Because MN deficiency is likely to be highly prevalent, addressing the issue of micronutrient malnutrition requires a comprehensive review of the prevalence of MN deficiency, its underlying causes, and possible solutions. I need data.
Recognizing the seriousness of the problem, a project led by Professor Cashman and Professor Keeley from the UCC Cork Center for Vitamin D and Nutrition Research in the School of Food and Nutrition Sciences has just been awarded over €10 million in funding to assess the costs. It is. Developing the scale and solution of the MN scarcity problem. The project is in line with his UCC Futures thematic area of food, microbiome and health, and builds on his UCC’s long-standing reputation for research excellence across food, food business and medicine.
The Zero_HiddenHunger_EU project is a consortium of 19 partners that has committed over €10 million in research funding from Horizon Europe and associated partners for ground-breaking research to tackle micronutrient deficiencies in Europe over the next four years. received. Dr Jennifer Brown and Ms Anna Power from UCC Academy will provide project management support to the consortium.
Recognizing the urgency of this public health issue, the Zero_HiddenHunger_EU project aims to revolutionize our understanding and response to MN deficiency.
Zero_HiddenHunger_EU aims to fill this critical gap by pursuing two main objectives:
- Prevalence and healthcare cost estimation: This project uses priority biomarkers and intake data from diverse European populations to generate accurate measurements of MN deficiency prevalence. The project focuses on high-risk groups such as marginalized communities and vulnerable people, and uses health economic analysis led by Dr Brendan McElroy and Dr Leigh-Anne Burke from UCC Cork University to get to the bottom of the problem. The purpose of this study is to clarify the scope and associated medical costs. University Business School.
- Developing customized solutions: This project will develop a context-specific, food-focused strategy to ensure adequate amounts of manganese from sustainable sources, based on solid evidence. We are aiming for The consortium aims to provide tailored solutions that address the root causes of her MN deficiency across Europe.
Co-coordinators Professor Cashman and Professor Keeley expressed optimism about the potential impact of the project, saying:
“Zero_HiddenHunger_EU represents a groundbreaking effort to tackle the silent crisis of MN deficiency in Europe. By leveraging innovative research methods and collaborative partnerships, we will drive meaningful change and We aim to ensure equitable access to essential nutrients across Europe’s population.”
Mark Sweeney, Horizon Europe national contact for Enterprise Ireland, commented:
“Micronutrient deficiencies are a global health problem that can have very serious and debilitating consequences, particularly among vulnerable populations. This innovative approach, a €10 million UCC-led project, will help understand, prevent and control micronutrient deficiencies and have a major positive impact on human health. It has potential and I would like to congratulate Professor Keeley and Professor Kevin Cashman and wish them all the best for the project.”
The Zero_HiddenHunger_EU project highlights the importance of collective action to address complex public health challenges across Europe. By prioritizing data-driven interventions and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the project aims to pave the way to a healthier and more resilient Europe.
