World Thyroid Day (WTD) was founded by the ETA in 2008 and endorsed by the four sister societies in 2010 at the International Thyroid Congress in Paris. The aim, both on this special day and during the entire month, is to increase awareness among the public and professionals as to the serious impact of thyroid disease on human health.

The annual commemoration of WTD is a reminder about all thyroid diseases, which increasingly comprise a major global health concern.

Recent findings have shown that, despite over a century of mandatory food fortification with iodine in many countries, approximately two billion people or 30% of the world’s population are still at risk of iodine deficiency, the main reasons being changes in dietary patterns and in food processing methods. Today, iodine deficiency is a major public health problem requiring scaling up of wide-ranging and efficient intervention programs.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are at present the cause of more than 76% of deaths round the globe, have been shown to be linked to thyroid disease, particularly to hypothyroidism. There is consequently an added and pressing need for increased efforts among thyroidologists worldwide to diagnose and treat these disorders as early as possible to reduce the spread of NCDs.

WTD is dedicated to thyroid patients globally: we raise our voices for patients in all parts of the world advocating promotion of better understanding of and education on thyroid diseases, as well as for constantly improved treatment. We support thyroid patients everywhere, with special focus on pregnant women seeking to protect them from premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth stemming from untreated thyroid disorders, as well as the fetus and the newborn to guard against debilitating congenital hypothyroidism.

This is a call to action asking that governments and stakeholders in all countries reduce inequalities in healthcare so that minorities and the disadvantaged in general may receive education about thyroid care and thyroid treatment when needed.

The ETA shares experience and practice modalities for all thyroid diseases via collaboration with Thyroid Federation International, all our affiliated Associations and corporate Partners and national Thyroid Associations worldwide.

Let’s all commemorate once again WTD!

Leonidas Duntas
Secretary of the ETA

Graham Williams
President of the ETA

 

Download the announcement (PDF)