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Vitamin Angels Plays Key Role in Reducing Childhood Deaths
UNICEF Confirms Vitamin A Is Instrumental in Record Low
| Source: Vitamin Angels
SANTA BARBARA, CA--(Marketwire - September 20, 2007) - Last week, the United Nations Children's
Fund reported that the number of worldwide deaths in children younger than
5 dropped to an estimated 9.7 million last year, which means the deaths are
now at the lowest level since record-keeping began. They accredited
vitamin A supplements as one of the major reasons for the decline.
Around the world there are up to 140 million children who suffer from
vitamin A deficiency (VAD), which if left untreated can result in these
children going blind and could eventually be the cause of their death.
This deficiency is due to the severe malnutrition in these countries and
the fact that the foods consumed are not fortified, which means receiving
vitamin A and other supplementation is essential.
Though there are several programs providing support, nonprofit Vitamin
Angels is the only group organized to completely eradicate VAD on the
planet by the year 2020. Howard Schiffer, executive director, says that
Vitamin Angels offers a low tech, low cost solution to a global health
problem.
"For only 25 cents a child can receive two high-dose vitamin A capsules per
year, which eliminates their deficiency," says Schiffer. "UNICEF's report
coincides perfectly with the work Vitamin Angels is doing since
malnutrition is the underlying cause of half of all childhood deaths for
children under 5 every year."
In addition to the vitamin A supplements, Vitamin Angels also give the
children a crucial anti-parasitic to attack the parasites most of these
children have and help to improve absorption of the vitamin A.
Schiffer has launched an aggressive campaign called Operation 20/20 with
the goal to eradicate childhood blindness caused by VAD by the year 2020.
Research shows that 80 percent of blindness is preventable.
"Operation 20/20 is an extremely ambitious but attainable goal," says
Schiffer. "It's proven that these supplements do work and providing vital
nutrition is a clear way to save the lives of at-risk children around the
world."
Since 1994, Vitamin Angels has distributed over 350 million vitamins and
other supplements in 82 countries. Last year alone, Vitamin Angels donated
more than 100 million supplements to people in need in 40 countries around
the world.
The one-time cost to prevent a single child from going blind due to VAD is
$1. This covers the child for the first four years of their life, which is
when they are most at risk for developing a deficiency. For more
information about Operation 20/20 and how to help go to:
http://www.VitaminAngels.org.