Zinc is essential for numerous critical life functions and is vital for health across the life course. It plays a key role in immune function, glucose metabolism, and the prevention of diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Zinc deficiency is one of the most common forms of micronutrient malnutrition globally, affecting 17% of the global population, with higher prevalence in Asia and Africa. Zinc deficiency has significant impacts on growth, development, and health, particularly in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and is linked to increased risk of infections, cognitive impairment, and delayed wound healing. In adults, it can impair reproduction. Recent research highlights the link between zinc deficiency and cardiometabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Zinc deficiency is often undetected due to the lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers. Plasma zinc concentration is the most commonly used biomarker, but it is not always reliable. Functional biomarkers, such as essential fatty acid desaturation and zinc transporter gene expression, show promise for monitoring population-level interventions. Dietary zinc intake is also affected by environmental and climate changes, with projected declines in zinc concentrations in staple crops due to increased CO₂ levels. This highlights the need for context-specific strategies to improve zinc intake, including supplementation, food fortification, and biofortification. Evidence-based interventions to increase zinc intake include supplementation, large-scale food fortification, and biofortification of crops. These interventions must be combined with efforts to improve zinc bioavailability and dietary diversity. Zinc biofortification, through conventional breeding or genetic modification, can enhance the zinc content and bioavailability of staple crops. However, ethical, regulatory, and ecological concerns limit the widespread adoption of genetic modification. Despite these challenges, zinc biofortification has shown promise in improving zinc status and reducing morbidity. The global burden of zinc deficiency is significant, with a substantial contribution to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Addressing zinc deficiency requires a multi-sectoral approach, including public health strategies, agricultural interventions, and policy changes. Effective implementation of evidence-based interventions is crucial to prevent and control zinc deficiency across the life course, particularly in vulnerable populations. The review emphasizes the need for context-specific, complementary interventions to improve zinc intake and reduce the global burden of zinc deficiency.Zinc is essential for numerous critical life functions and is vital for health across the life course. It plays a key role in immune function, glucose metabolism, and the prevention of diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Zinc deficiency is one of the most common forms of micronutrient malnutrition globally, affecting 17% of the global population, with higher prevalence in Asia and Africa. Zinc deficiency has significant impacts on growth, development, and health, particularly in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and is linked to increased risk of infections, cognitive impairment, and delayed wound healing. In adults, it can impair reproduction. Recent research highlights the link between zinc deficiency and cardiometabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Zinc deficiency is often undetected due to the lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers. Plasma zinc concentration is the most commonly used biomarker, but it is not always reliable. Functional biomarkers, such as essential fatty acid desaturation and zinc transporter gene expression, show promise for monitoring population-level interventions. Dietary zinc intake is also affected by environmental and climate changes, with projected declines in zinc concentrations in staple crops due to increased CO₂ levels. This highlights the need for context-specific strategies to improve zinc intake, including supplementation, food fortification, and biofortification. Evidence-based interventions to increase zinc intake include supplementation, large-scale food fortification, and biofortification of crops. These interventions must be combined with efforts to improve zinc bioavailability and dietary diversity. Zinc biofortification, through conventional breeding or genetic modification, can enhance the zinc content and bioavailability of staple crops. However, ethical, regulatory, and ecological concerns limit the widespread adoption of genetic modification. Despite these challenges, zinc biofortification has shown promise in improving zinc status and reducing morbidity. The global burden of zinc deficiency is significant, with a substantial contribution to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Addressing zinc deficiency requires a multi-sectoral approach, including public health strategies, agricultural interventions, and policy changes. Effective implementation of evidence-based interventions is crucial to prevent and control zinc deficiency across the life course, particularly in vulnerable populations. The review emphasizes the need for context-specific, complementary interventions to improve zinc intake and reduce the global burden of zinc deficiency.