This statistical spreadsheet, compiled by the Vitamin Angels staff, obtained information from reports published by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This spreadsheet compares vitamin A deficient countries, with recent neonatal, infant, and under five mortality rankings. Additionally, the top 15 countries (ranked in magnitude of VAD), is also compared.
Information about the prevalence of parasitic worms is included as well.

The statistics included in the spreadsheet are from the following articles:

• UNICEF. State of the World's Children Special Edition (2009).
• UNICEF. Tracking Progress on Child and Maternal Nutrition: A survival and development priority (2009).
• WHO. Global prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in populations at risk 1995–2005: WHO global database on VAD (2009).
• USAID. Working Toward the Goal of Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality: USAID Programming and Response to FY08       Appropriations (2008).
• UNICEF. Vitamin A Supplementation--A Decade of Progress (2007).
• UNICEF. State of the World's Children (2006).
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Publication: World Health Organization (WHO) & United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) & United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Publication Date: 2006-09
Region: Global

This report provides the current estimates of Vitamin A Deficiency during the period from 1995- 2005. It is indicated that  45 and 122 countries have vitamin A deficiency of public health significance based on the prevalence of night blindness and biochemical vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol concentration <0.70 µmol/l), respectively, in preschool-age children.  Furthermore, estimate on the prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency are provided for pregnant women.

Publication: World Health Organization (WHO)
Publication Date: 2009
Region: Global

In response to the 2008 Copenhagen Consensus, citing Vitamin A supplementation as the world’s most cost effective means to expedite development, noble launderette economists challenge both the public and private sector to scale up distribution. With only two thirds of United Nations priority countries currently  providing supplementation programs, this paper provides a brief history of successful programs and offers suggestions in mainstreaming the product across Asia and Africa.

Author(s): Horton S., Begin F., et al
Publication: Copenhagen Consensus Center
Publication Date: Oct 2008
Region: Global

Described as “a progress report on number of children with anthelminthic drugs: an update towards the 2010 global target”, this WHO update provides a broad overview of the state of worm infestation in global populations.

Publication: World Health Organization (WHO)
Publication Date: July 4, 2008
Region: Global

Undernutrition serves a major cause of disease worldwide. Robert Black and team estimate that Vitamin A and zinc deficiencies combine for more than 9% of all disability adjusted life years, a proportion easily eliminated by simple supplementation regimes.

Author(s): Black R.E., Allen L.H., et al
Publication: Lancet, volume 371, issue 9608, pages 243 – 260.   
Publication Date: Jan 19, 2008
Region: Global 
 

In a summary of five major peer-reviewed newborn vitamin A clinical trials, authors argue that when distributed in areas of vitamin A deficiency and high childhood mortality, dosing neonates with vitamin A results in fewer infant deaths.  Specifically, a 20% reduction in the risk of infant death was found using newborn vitamin A in southern Asia.

Author(s): Tielsch J. M., Klemm P., et al
Publication: Sight and Life
Publication Date: 2008
Region: Asia, Africa
Country: Indonesia, India, Zimbabwe, Guinea-Bissau, Bangladesh

Instead of focusing on specific diseases, the World Health Organization has shifted its focus to “the maximum number of people at risk who could be treated with a set of drugs.” This newsletter address issues surrounding the meaning of “integrated preventative chemotherapy,” gives seven reasons for why integration is logical, provides an overview of the drugs available, as well as flushes out several challenges to integration control.

Publication: World Health Organization (WHO)
Publication Date: August 2007
Region: Global

A preventative approach to a Title-II Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Program is more effective than the traditional, recuperative approach of reducing the prevalence of childhood undernutrition among children 12-41 months. Based on the findings, it is recommended that programs focus their resources on children under the age of two years, using a preventative focus that also targets pregnant and lactating women.

Author(s): Menon P. & Ruel M.T.
Publication: The Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance (FANTA) Project
Publication Date: Jul 31, 2007
Region: Latin America/Caribbean
Country: Haiti

As a recent United Nations Publication, this document adds significance to the growing international force behind vitamin A Supplementation. Covering issues such as tracking, delivery strategies, program sustainability, and managing supplies, it serves as an ideal field guide for anyone interested in the details of vitamin A supplementation.

Publication: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Publication Date: Apr 2007
Region: Global

This Gap Analysis reviews the main issues around vitamin A deficiency (VAD), including interventions, vitamin A status assessment methods, promising strategies to prevent and control VAD, and barriers to scaling-up sustainable interventions of known efficacy.  Evidence for supplementing neonate, preschool children, and women of reproductive age is presented.

Author(s): Klemm R., Harvey P., et. al.
Publication: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) & Academy for Educational Development (AED) – A2Z Project
Publication Date: Jan 2007
Region: Global

This technical brief reviews the scientific rationale for postpartum vitamin A supplementation and discusses whether this intervention can improve the nutritional status, breast milk quality, and functional health outcomes in mothers and children.

Author: Rice, A. L.
Publisher: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) & Academy for Educational Development (AED) – A2Z Project.
Publication Date: January 2007
Region: Global

This is a toolkit primarily written for district level nutrition managers. It details planning, implementing, and monitoring Vitamin A distribution at the community level.

Publication: Micronutrient Initiative (MI)
Publication Date: 2006
Region: Global

The following three tables display the most current international survey results for the burden of Vitamin A across all 191 United Nations recognized countries. The tables present indices in live births, measured prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency (less than .7ug/mole), measured prevalence of low Vitamin A status (.7- 1 ug/mole), and research references for each country.

1.    Global Burden of Vitamin A Deficiency in Preschool Aged Children by WHO Region
    
2.    Global Burden of Xerophthalmia Among Preschool Aged Children by WHO Region
   
3.    Global Burden of Low Vitamin A Status and Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) Among Pregnant Women by WHO Region

Author(s): West K.P., Rice A, et al
Publication: World Health Organization (WHO)
Publication Date: Feb 16, 2005
Region: Global

Thirty-eight percent of all childhood deaths occur in the neonatal period. Each year, over 4 million infants die in the first four weeks of life. Recognizing the injustices behind such deaths, this paper addresses the systemic and biological causes of neonatal mortality and recommends public health solutions.

Publication: Lancet, Volume 365, Issue 9463.
Publication Date: 2005
Region: Global

Effective programming exists as a primary issue in executing a comprehensive health agenda. This document focuses on strategies to safely and efficiently distribute deworming drugs in conjunction with Vitamin A. Country experiences as well as program guidelines are easily assessable in this excellent report.

Publication: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) & World Health Organization (WHO)
Publication Date: 2004
Region: Global