Perspective on Emerging Micronutrient Deficiencies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The moral imperative of public health systems is to maximize the health and welfare of the population to the extent possible. Constraints often include a lack of resources, political will, popular acceptance, or an acceptable safety margin. Major agencies have established iron, iodine, and vitamin A as the principal elements for micronutrients, with folate and zinc on the second plane. As the armamentarium of interventions to favor micronutrient nutrition, for example, preventive health measures, dietary improvement, forms of fortification, and nutrient supplements, is offered in public health policy. The utility of their merger with other nutrients, emergent nutrients, has been considered. The Latin America and Caribbean Region has unique characteristics. The scientific and epidemiology considerations for action in the Region's health concern on 4 emergent nutrient deficiencies of public health—vitamins D and E, essential fatty acids, and choline—are reviewed. Plain language title: Micronutrient Deficiencies of Interest in Latin America and the Caribbean Plain language summary: The diets consumed in the diverse corners and societies in the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean area do not fully supply the vitamins and minerals needed by people of all ages and conditions. Some public health actions are being taken, but only against a limited selection of such nutrients as iron, vitamin A, iodine, and folic acid. The composition of diets and environmental conditions across the region suggests that 4 additional nutrients might be candidates for public health efforts. These include vitamin D, vitamin E, certain large fatty acid molecules, and choline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]