[ExI] Making [100 million] people smarter on the cheap.

[BillK]

On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 8:32 PM, Brent Allsop wrote:
> Of course you or I, as individuals, sending a letter to third world country
> leaders would likely do nothing.  But wouldn't something like a dynamic
> always improving petition that goes viral and is signed by millions of
> people showing gross comprehensive agreement by everyone on the importance
> of such critical actionable issues (including any other points of view, and
> quantitative measures of consensus of such, if any) have a chance of
> changing the world for the better?
>


I think there is a bit of a misunderstanding in this discussion.

Iodine deficiency is a well-known problem that the World Health
Organization, UNICEF and others have been working on since 1990. And
they have made great improvements, although more still needs to be
done.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodine_deficiency>

UNICEF published a progress report in 2007.
<http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Sustainable_Elimination_of_Iodine_Deficiency.pdf>
Quote:
A worldwide effort has dramatically raised the proportion of people
consuming iodized salt from less than 20 per cent in 1990 to about 70
per cent by 2000. Thirty-four countries have achieved the elimination
of iodine deficiency through universal salt iodization.  By 2006, more
than 120 countries were implementing salt iodization programmes, an
increase of one third in just six years compared to the 90 countries
with such programmes in 2000.
--------------


Of the remaining problem countries many are involved in conflict
situations and have difficulty implementing *any* public health
measures. But the effort is continuing.


BillK