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Source: WHO.  World Health Report 2002.  Geneva, WHO.  Available at: http://www.who.int/whr/2002/en/index.html

 

Why do you think iron deficiency is particularly concentrated in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa?  (Factors to consider: dietary iron intake – meat and animal products are a source of more bioavailable iron, but poor people do not consume these; iron is less well absorbed from diets heavy in grains containing phytates; iron is better absorbed with vitamin C – but fruit which is a rich source of vitamin C is expensive; hygiene is important – infection with hookworm is a cause of anemia, via blood loss; other factors?)