Population

Population: 8.17 million
Population growth rate: 0.23%
Population < 15 years: 16.4%
Birth rate: 9.58 per 1000
Life expectancy at birth: 78 years
Infant mortality: 4.39 per 1000

Prevalence of Goiter/ UIE

Median urinary iodine: 98-120 mcg/L

Much of Austria is in the Alps and in past, IDD was a severe public health problem. In 1970's, IDD was still a problem among schoolchildren (11.8% TGR). However, in 1992, school surveys found a TGR prevalence of 5%. Data from ThyroMobil show size by ultrasound in iodine sufficient normal range.

Iodine prophylaxis has been mandatory since 1963. Due to this, endemic cretinism has disappeared.

Incidence of congenital hypothyroidism is 1:5153, consistent with iodine sufficiency.

Median urinary iodine excretion of 145 mcg I/g creatinine in Tyrol (1992), and 122 mcg I/g creatinine in Styria (1996); ThyroMobil in 4 sites, median range 98-120 mcg/L.

Iodized salt Coverage

Household iodized salt use: 100%

Salt Situation Analysis

Production

No Data Available

Consumption

• Estimated daily per capita salt consumption: No Data Available
• Estimated % of all salt consumed by people which is adequately iodized (household level): 100%
  
  

Iodine Procurement and Utilization

 Salt iodized with KI, 20ppm

Universal Salt Iodization Program

Information, Education, Communication (IEC) Activities

Legislation

• Legislation: Yes.
• Legislation for Animals: All salt for animals is iodized
• Year Enacted: 1963
• Latest Revision: 1990

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

No governmental program. Active assessment and monitoring by 19 Nuclear Medicine Centers cooperatively (Austrian Society of Nuclear Medicine). Government has state monopoly on salt.

Monitoring performed regularly by Austrian Society of Nuclear Medicine.

Other Interventions

None.

Key Lessons Learned

Challenges and Constraints

Future Plans for Sustained IDD Elimination

Sources:

IDD NL 18(4):52, 2002

IDD NL 13(3):45, 1997

IDD NL 9(1):4, 1993

IDD NL 8(1):12, 1992

IDD NL 7(4):38, 1991

Eur J Nucl Med 25(4):367, 1998

Eur J Endocrinol 136:180, 1977

Thyroid 7(4):593, 1997