Contextualized Food Planning for Fluoride Toxicity Mitigation Using Multimodal Data

Elevated fluoride concentrations in drinking water pose health risks, while targeted nutrition-based interventions offer an immediate evidence-based mitigation pathway, complementing long-term infrastructure measures. This study explores nutrition-linked behavioral strategies to mitigate chronic fluoride exposure in the Purulia I block of West Bengal, a region battling high fluoride levels in drinking water and crops irrigated with contaminated groundwater. This pilot study in Purulia I Block demonstrates the effectiveness of locally adapted nutrition-based strategies -- integrating macro- and micro-level data with participatory tools -- to mitigate fluoride toxicity through dietary interventions. The findings underscore the relevance of culturally relevant state-specific approaches that align public nutrition programs with local food systems, offering a scalable model for fluoride-affected regions across India. This study highlights the power of a multimodal, data-integrated approach -- combining spatial mapping, agricultural practices, community behaviors, and institutional guidelines providing information on nutrition plans -- to design precise, culturally relevant, and adaptive fluoride mitigation strategies.