The European Thyroid Association and American Thyroid Association etablished World Thyroid Day, May 25, back in 2008 to promote public awareness of thyroid disease. Thyroid disease, today the most widely occurring endocrine disorder, represents a rapidly growing problem round the world. It afflicts millions of people, affecting their daily life, increasing morbidity, reducing productivity and deteriorating the quality of life. In babies and children thyroid disease impacts the growth and development of the brain and body.

World Thyroid Day is part of the Thyroid Federation International’s International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW), celebrated May 24-30. This year the spotlight is focused on Thyroid and Child Development and stresses the crucial role played by thyroid hormones, from the prenatal to the adolescent stages, for the somatic and mental health of the child.

ICCIDD cooperates closely with thyroid associations globally in the campaign against IDD.