Combatting Iron Deficiency in Palestine

Laboratory Study

Iron deficiency is one of the most widespread nutritional disorders worldwide and a leading cause of anaemia, with far-reaching consequences for physical health, cognitive development, and quality of life. Vulnerable groups such as women of reproductive age, children, and older adults are particularly affected. While the global dimensions of iron deficiency are well documented, region-specific data remain scarce in many parts of the world. In Palestine, the lack of locally grounded reference values for iron and ferritin levels poses a major challenge for effective diagnosis, prevention, and public health intervention.

This Twinning Project led by AGYA alumnus Prof. Dr. Ahmad Amro and AGYA member Dr. Sarah Carol addresses this gap by combining expertise from health sciences, medicine, nutrition and social sciences. The project aims to establish reliable reference values for iron and ferritin levels in the Palestinian population and to compare them with established standards from Germany and the European Union.

Linking biomedical data and social context for evidence-based public health decision-making

More than 700 blood samples were collected from participants across the West Bank, including urban areas, rural communities, refugee camps, and Bedouin populations. In parallel, participants completed questionnaires on dietary habits, socioeconomic conditions, and lifestyle factors. This integrated approach allowed the research team to identify how social and cultural factors shape iron status and to move beyond one-size-fits-all diagnostic thresholds.

A key objective of the project is to support evidence-based public health decision-making. Palestinian laboratories currently rely on imported reference values that may not accurately reflect local conditions, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment. By generating locally grounded data and systematically comparing it with German reference values, the project seeks to improve diagnostic accuracy and inform national guidelines for iron deficiency screening and treatment.

This project highlights the crucial intersection of policy, perception, and lived experience. Understanding these dynamics is essential for fostering more inclusive and effective communities.

Ahmad Amro, AGYA alumnus

The project’s findings will be published open access and shared with public health authorities and policymakers. By providing evidence-based recommendations for iron fortification strategies, dietary interventions, and diagnostic guidelines, the project aims to reduce the health burden of iron deficiency in Palestine. 

Combining scientific research with social awareness and transregional cooperation, it exemplifies how collaborative research can generate knowledge that is both locally relevant and globally meaningful.

Sarah Carol, AGYA member