EUthyroid2 is a public health research project geared towards effective societal, economic, and scientific aims.

Societal

EUthyroid2 will improve awareness of the importance of iodine for health among children, adolescents, and young women. With the help of educational materials, the project will aim to increase knowledge of iodine nutrition and the risks of iodine deficiency, resulting in improved health outcomes, and serving as an important initiative toward improved health equity in Europe.

Economic

Iodine deficiency and iodine-related disorders represent a significant financial burden to the healthcare systems of the affected regions but can be easily prevented by iodine fortification programmes. EUthyroid2 will take steps toward sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency in Europe and beyond and encourage the adoption of iodine fortification programmes at national and international levels.

Scientific

EUthyroid2 will work to conduct implementation studies and community-based trials and interventions in the educational system and ambulatory care in eight study regions. The project will support research into the effect of iodine deficiency on health, especially among young women, and emphasise the need for adequate prevention programmes.

As iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) impose a significant burden on public healthcare systems of the affected regions, EUthyroid2 aims to take steps towards the eradication of iodine deficiency and preventable iodine-related disorders.

Although iodine deficiency can easily be prevented by iodine fortification, challenges remain in Europe and beyond.