IDD is also responsible for severe goiter, physical deformities, and cretinism, the most extreme form of mental disability. Even though only a minute amount of iodine is needed, more than 1.5 billion people around the world are at risk because they don't get enough iodine. Around 40 million tablets of iron, folic acid, vitamin A, and multivitamins were also distributed to targeted communities. Approximately one-third of women in North Korea suffer from anemia. Vitamin A deficiency is also reported to be high.
Anemia is a major health problem for adolescent girls and women.
Resulting from a lack of iron, anemia increases susceptibility to illness, the risk of complications in pregnancy, and the rate of maternal deaths. It also reduces physical productivity and the ability to work and learn. Diarrheal dehydration is one of the world's biggest child killers, taking the lives of an estimated 1.9 million children in developing countries last year. The health of mothers in North Korea continues to be a concern due to inadequate food intake and the low quality of obstetric care caused by acute shortages of needed equipment and medicine. However, energy shortages, as well as lack of transportation and fuel, hinder appropriate storage and distribution of medication.