On Friday, 15 May, China celebrated its 22nd National IDD Prevention Day. The aims of the IDD Day are to increase the knowledge of the population about the adverse effects of IDD and to promote population health. The theme this year was: “Providing iodine scientifically, focusing on the first 1000 days”. It stressed the importance of adequate iodine nutrition during the first 1000 days of a child’s life, from conception to the child's second birthday.

Public campaigns were organized in each province and were widely covered in the local and national media. They stressed the importance of preventing iodine deficiency in the developing fetus and infant by ensuring that pregnant and breastfeeding women consume enough iodine to meet their needs.

The general public were taught about the importance of consuming iodized salt, and how to tell the difference between iodized and non-iodized salt by its packaging. While China’s salt iodization program has been exemplary, there are plans to scrap the state monopoly on the sale of iodized salt in 2016. In most areas of China, where iodine is lacking in the environment, the risk of iodine deficiency is still high, and efforts will be needed to ensure that access to iodized salt does not decline.