Fieldnotes: Blogging on UNICEF's child survival work in the field

Iodine is probably not something many of us routinely think about.

This natural chemical element enables the thyroid gland to produce hormones and is essential to human development. In much of the world, iodine is found in soil. It is absorbed by crops and then consumed by livestock and humans.

But in some parts of the world, the soil—and thus the food supply—lacks iodine. The results are devastating. Iodine deficiency is the world’s leading cause of preventable mental retardation and brain damage and also increases the risk of infant mortality, miscarriage and stillbirth.

A new UNICEF report, released this week, shows tremendous progress in the effort to protect children and mothers from the cruel consequences of iodine deficiency.

Two decades ago, only 20 percent of households received adequate levels of iodine. Now—thanks to a huge worldwide campaign including UNICEF and partners like Kiwanis International—70 percent are getting sufficient iodine through iodized salt.