Moving from science to public health programs: lessons from vitamin A.

The transition from research to the applications of its results is a difficult one. Several stages must be passed through before a discovery can be put to practical use. The development of the current standards for vitamin A is a good example of both a successful and a difficult transition. The importance of the public media and of international organizations, especially the World Health Organization, in any transition is noted. Movement from research to practical applications requires that scientists take an active, sensible leadership role, that mechanisms for disseminating information and for bringing about scientific consensus are used effectively, and that international funding and support agencies take a role.