Media stories routinely explore cultural aspects of the role of women in Iranian society. A recent Time Magazine story on "Tehran's Health Patrol," takes a deeper look at the contributions of a group of local women who are the key ingredient in advancing Tehran's public health agenda, including promoting salt iodization.

Sahid Siamdoust reports from Tehran on a preparation meeting for 12 members of the Womens Health Volunteers (WHV) who "will leave this class today and knock on as many as 50 doors to tell the families under their care about the necessity of using iodized salt to prevent developmental problems in children--an especially important lesson in these poorer parts, where seafood is rarely eaten." The article discusses other important contributions by the 100,000-strong WHV.