So this hemoglobin test. Why is it so important? Well, two reasons. First, it's part of the certification process. You know, just as is taking heights, weights, and lengths of women, infants and children. And second, it's a goal of the WIC program to prevent a certain type of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia.

We'd like to stress that you will NOT be making a diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia. That’s the job of a licensed healthcare provider. They have other more extensive tests to help determine this.

As a WIC staff member, you’ll simply be testing and/or assessing your client's blood for hemoglobin levels. And if the value appears too low or too high, you’ll refer your client to the nutritionist, where a further discussion can take place.

As with anthropometric measurements, it's important to perform this test accurately, as an inaccurate test may cause us to overlook a nutrition risk that is present or assign a nutrition risk that is not present at all.

Now, let's learn about hemoglobin on the next page.

Note: In some states, a health support technician will perform the hemoglobin test. A Competent Professional Authority (CPA) will then assess the blood data, assign a nutrition risk, and perform counseling, if needed.