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About IMMPaCt

At a glance

CDC's International Micronutrient Malnutrition Prevention and Control (IMMPaCt) program works to reduce vitamin and mineral deficiencies globally. IMMPaCt began in 2000 and works in collaboration with multiple partners. The work primarily benefits those most likely to be affected by micronutrient deficiencies: infants, children, adolescents, and women of childbearing age.

Mother holding newborn.

U.S. projects

Iron and iodine are critical for healthy births, fetal and child growth, and brain development. However, the United States has no state-level data on iron or iodine status among pregnant women or children 5 and younger.

CDC supports U.S. micronutrient nutrition policy and programmatic efforts by:

  • Supporting ways to improve national surveillance.
  • Innovating to fill data gaps.
  • Improving case definitions for micronutrient malnutrition.

Country projects

IMMPaCt provides technical assistance, training, and/or funding for projects in eight to 10 countries at a time. IMMPaCt is working with the following countries and projects:

  • Ghana: iron and folic acid supplements for adolescents
  • Nepal: infant and young child feeding and micronutrient powder program
  • Niger: micronutrient deficiencies and anemia correlates in pregnant women
  • Burkina Faso, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, and Tanzania: national micronutrient surveys
  • Guatemala and Uganda: nutrition surveillance systems

IMMPaCt also provides technical assistance for countries to study the effectiveness of interventions and assess results. This evidence from real-world settings can lead to improved micronutrient strategies and technical resources for a wider impact.

Laboratory assistance

Woman working in a scientific lab.
CDC's labs provide technical assistance and collaboration for micronutrient work.

The accurate detection and diagnosis of micronutrient deficiencies depends on accurate, valid lab measurements. However, country laboratories may lack the resources to conduct all aspects of planning, training, specimen collection, quality assurance, and data interpretation.

IMMPaCt works closely with two branches of CDC's Division of Laboratory Sciences—Nutritional Biomarkers and Inorganic and Radiation Analytical Toxicology. These labs work with and provide technical assistance to CDC's projects. They also run external quality assurance programs.

Initiatives and activities

CDC is involved in several global initiatives and activities to address micronutrient deficiencies.

Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA)
 BRINDA is an international collaboration to improve micronutrient assessment and anemia characterization globally.

Food Fortification Initiative (FFI)
 FFI champions the effective fortification of industrially milled flour and rice globally through multi-sector partnerships. For industrial fortification, food processors add vitamins and minerals to commonly consumed food.

Global Alliance for Vitamin A (GAVA)
 GAVA shares information and lessons learned about vitamin A supplementation to control vitamin A deficiency and improve child survival.

Home Fortification Technical Advisory Group (HF-TAG)
 HF-TAG is a global network supporting well-designed and effective home fortification interventions for women and children. With home fortification, people add vitamins and minerals to food as they prepare it.

Iodine Global Network (IGN)
 IGN works towards the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency worldwide.

Micronutrient Forum
CDC is represented on the Micronutrient Forum's Scientific Advisory Council. The Micronutrient Forum is a global effort to bridge scientific advances with policies and programs across multiple sectors.

Resources

Micronutrient Survey Manual
Tool to assess and monitor the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition. Country survey planners can use these ready-made materials. IMMPaCt developed the last edition in collaboration with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Nutrition International.

Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System
Has several components:

  • Micronutrients database.
  • Summaries of biochemical indicators for assessing the prevalence of various vitamin and mineral deficiencies in populations.
  • Surveillance tools.
  • Global laboratory directory for the assessment of micronutrient status.

Global Fortification Data Exchange
Analysis and visualization tool for food fortification. The data can be used to track global progress and help decision makers improve the quality of national fortification programs.

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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)