JAMA Netw Open

Hiding in plain sight: Iron deficiency affects nearly one-third of American adults

September 30, 2024

A significant portion of American adults experience absolute and functional iron deficiency, highlighting the need for further research into its health impacts and screening strategies.

• This cross-sectional study analyzed NHANES data from 2017 to 2020 to estimate the prevalence of absolute and functional iron deficiency and iron supplement use among U.S. adults.
• An estimated 14% of adults had absolute iron deficiency, and 15% had functional iron deficiency. Prevalence was 11% for absolute iron deficiency and 15% for functional iron deficiency among adults without anemia, heart failure, CKD, or pregnancy. Functional iron deficiency prevalence exceeded that of absolute iron deficiency in all adults except women <50 years of age.
• Iron supplement use ranged from 22% to 35% of women with iron deficiency and 12% to 18% of men with iron deficiency depending on age.

Source:

Tawfik YMK, et al. (2024, September 3). JAMA Netw Open. Absolute and Functional Iron Deficiency in the US, 2017-2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39316402/