“Over the years, there’s been a lot of focus on reducing anemia globally, but as a group, women and children have shown the least progress,” says Will Gardner, a researcher at IHME and lead author of the paper. “This is a nuanced situation that revolves around access to nutrition, socioeconomic status, unmet need for contraception, and the ability to identify and treat underlying causes of anemia. Our data show how one group- adult men- has fared much better than two other groups, women (ages 15-49) and children younger than 5 years. This speaks to the need for a shift to multisectoral approaches and improved cultural awareness to make sure women and children are not left behind.”
Dietary iron deficiency was the major cause of anemia in 2021, accounting for 66.2% of total anemia cases, affecting 825 million women and 444 million men worldwide. Inadequate iron intake may have been the single most common cause of anemia, although numerous other factors play a role.
The study discovered that gynecological problems and maternal hemorrhage were significant factors in anemia burden among reproductive-age women. Dietary iron deficiency was the leading cause of anemia in children under the age of five, but hemoglobinopathies, various infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, and malaria were also significant contributions in areas where these diseases are widespread.
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“Anemia plays out differently depending on the group that’s struggling with the condition. For children, anemia can impact brain development and cognition, so early treatment and management are crucial. This might mean accessing high-quality, nutrient-rich foods and/or receiving treatment for parasitic infections and malaria,” says Dr. Theresa McHugh, scientific writer at IHME who focuses on neonatal and child health. “For many young women and girls, there’s an education gap about blood loss during menstruation, inadequate options for effectively managing menstrual problems in those who have them, and not enough knowledge about how to manage and/or reverse anemia when it occurs. We know anemia can impact mental health because the associated weakness and fatigue can interfere with desired activities.”
Previous research has linked anemia to higher rates of anxiety and depression, as well as higher rates of preterm labor, postpartum hemorrhage, low birth weight, short gestation, stillbirth, and infections in both the child and the mother.
Geographic Variations in Anemia Burden
According to the findings, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are currently bearing the largest impact. Anemia frequency was highest in Western Sub-Saharan Africa (47.4%), South Asia (35.7%), and Central Sub-Saharan Africa (35.7%) in 2021. Australasia (5.7%), Western Europe (6%), and North America (6.8%) have the lowest rates of anemia.
Mali, Zambia, and Togo had the highest anemia burdens (each had more than 50% anemia). Iceland, Norway, and Monaco had the lowest anemia burdens (each had a 5% anemia burden).
Cause-specific anemia burden mirrored regional diversity in disease distribution. In Southern Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, HIV/AIDS was the second leading cause of anemic YLDs. Malaria anemia was most prevalent in Central, Eastern, and Western Sub-Saharan Africa.
References:
- https:doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(23)00118-7
Source: Medindia
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