What parent doesn't want their new son or daughter to have every opportunity for success and happiness in life? What citizen can ignore an easily-corrected condition that consigns some innocent newborns to suboptimal brain development. Iodine deficiency depresses IQ by 10-15 points. A nation with serious iodine deficiency saps its economic potential even as it perpetuates disregard for the health and development of its human assets.
Some problems are so large and complicated as to defy ready solution. Iodine deficiency is just the opposite. Its impacts can be readily discovered and the solution -- iodized salt in most c ases -- is inexpensive and thoroughly proven. Substituting iodized salt for plain salt in family meals and on the table is simplicity itself. Insisting on iodized salt in school meals is worth parents' registering their views with school officials. Testing salt in the home with simple kits that will show whether the salt has been iodized should be common practice where there is any doubt about salt quality.
Yes, parents and citizens, your involvement can make a difference!
