The PROFILES simulation on the costs benefits of eliminating iodine deficiency were used by UNICEF\'s Goodwill Ambassador and worldwide known chess player Karpov at the Russian Salt Producers meeting to convince policy-makers to make salt fortification obligatory. The PROFILES simulations showed that over a five year period 200,000 newborns could be saved from brain damage if they had access to iodized salt. An advocacy strategy was also written and specific advocacy communication tools were developed to make policy-makers aware of the importance of having a mandatory salt iodization law.

AED Annual Report 2004: PROFILES Russia