Rising Burden of Anemia and Iron Deficiency Among U.S. Nonpregnant Women of Reproductive Age: Insights from NHANES 1999–2023

Highlight

• From 1999 to 2023, the prevalence of anemia among nonpregnant U.S. women aged 20–45 increased markedly from 8.0% to 14.2%, corresponding to over 3 million affected individuals.
• Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) prevalence more than doubled in the same period, rising from 4.3% to 9.1%, indicating a growing public health concern.
• Despite the rise in anemia and IDA, the prevalence of iron deficiency alone remained high yet relatively stable around 17–19%.
• Adjusted analysis shows an 8% increase per NHANES cycle in the odds of anemia and IDA, underscoring a persistent worsening trend over the last two decades.

Study Background