Risk communication as a component that provides stability of strategy aimed at eliminating diseases caused by iodine deficiency in Belarus

There is a strategy being implemented now in Belarus that involves obligatory application of high quality iodized salt in food industry; it has resulted in iodine deficiency elimination among population. Sales of iodized salt account for more than 70 % of the overall salt sales in retail outlets. However, attention paid to the issue has started to decline recently, including mass media; at present there is no social advertising that informs people about iodized salt being useful for their health. Our research object was population awareness about various aspects related to prevention of diseases caused by iodine deficiency and objective indicators of iodine provision. Our research goal was to determine probable risks of iodine deficiency prophylaxis becoming less efficient and to substantiate ways how to prevent negative trends. Data and methods. We assessed population awareness on iodine deficiency via questioning; overall, 805 people living in Belarus took part in it...