Relating to a vitamin and mineral deficiency public awareness program, and providing an appropriation

This bill relates to the development and implementation of a vitamin and mineral deficiency public awareness program by the department of public health (DPH). The bill requires DPH to develop and implement an evidence-based public awareness program to provide an integrated approach to vitamin and mineral deficiency prevention and control. The program shall educate various entities and the general public about the science and benefits of adequate levels of vitamins and minerals; provide for universal evaluation of vitamin and mineral deficiencies at no cost to the public throughout the state; provide access to appropriate therapies and interventions to ameliorate detected vitamin and mineral deficiencies; promote increased dietary quality and diversity and vitamin and mineral supplementation, and address social determinants of health that result in a higher risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency in specific populations; publish guidelines that specify the risk factors associated with specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies, how specific deficiencies manifest in various populations, the symptoms and health risks associated with specific deficiencies, the recommended dietary allowance for each vitamin and mineral, and the recommended foods and other sources of the specific vitamin or mineral. DPH shall establish outcome measures to determine if the program results in a decreased prevalence of vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the population and if adjustments should be made to the program. DPH shall submit a report regarding the outcomes and any recommendations for program adjustments to the governor and the general assembly, annually, by January 15. The bill also provides an appropriation from the general fund of the state to DPH for FY 2021-2022 to develop and implement the vitamin and mineral deficiency public awareness program.