Bayer Launches Global Nutrition Supplementation Program to Combat Micronutrient Deficiencies in Underserved Regions

Basel, Switzerland, February 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer announced the launch of its "Nutritional Supplementation Program" to help people in underdeveloped regions access vitamins and minerals to address malnutrition. As part of Bayer’s corporate vision of "Sharing Health, Eliminating Hunger," the program focuses on intervention, education, and advocacy, leveraging Bayer’s own initiatives and collaborations with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to achieveToReach 50 million people in underdeveloped regions annually by 2030of the goal. The “Nutritional Supplementation Program” is to realize Bayer Consumer Health DivisionSustainable Development Goals-- The first flagship project aimed at empowering 100 million people in underdeveloped regions to achieve better health every day by 2030 --

During the first 1,000 days of life, spanning from pregnancy to the child’s second birthday, adequate nutritional intake is crucial for both maternal health and the healthy growth and development of the infant. Unfortunately, vitamin and mineral deficiencies remain one of the most prevalent public health issues in underdeveloped regions, disproportionately affecting women and children. Nearly 50% of young women and adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries suffer from insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals.^[i], at least half of children under the age of five worldwide also suffer from nutritional deficiencies^[ii]. The adverse consequences of vitamin and mineral deficiencies will become increasingly prominent over time, potentially leading to severe health impacts across the entire lifespan and ultimately exacerbating poverty.

“As leaders and experts in the field of nutritional supplements, we deeply understand how crucial these nutrients are for everyone’s health, particularly for vulnerable populations with the greatest need for nutritional support, such as women and children in underdeveloped regions.”。”President of Bayer Consumer Health Worldwide, Member of the Management CommitteeHeiko Schipper stated, “Having a healthy baby is the top priority for hundreds of millions of families worldwide. Through the ‘Nutritional Supplementation Program,’ we will launch a series of initiatives to ensure that babies today and in future generations get the best possible start in life.”

Bayer’s initiatives will begin by focusing on pregnant women and infants, as they are among the most vulnerable populations and require greater support in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Early prevention of vitamin and mineral deficiencies during pregnancy can effectively reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as fetal growth restriction and neural tube defects. These adverse outcomes impose long-term health impacts and economic burdens on both individuals and society.

As a country with a large population, China sees approximately 900,000 new cases of birth defects annually, accounting for about 20% of the global total. There is an imbalance in the development of birth defect prevention and control across different regions, and the comprehensive capacity for birth defect prevention and control urgently needs strengthening. As a global leader in prenatal nutritional supplements, Bayer has, in recent years, continuously collaborated with government agencies such as the China Population Publicity and Education Center, professional associations like the Chinese Medical Education Association, as well as authoritative experts and partners. Together, they have launched a series of public welfare science popularization projects aimed at raising public awareness of birth defects and whole-course nutrition, disseminating basic knowledge and skills in maternal and infant healthcare, and improving health literacy among pregnant and postpartum women. By combining rich online science popularization live streams with offline free clinic services, these initiatives have mobilized numerous experts, primary-level maternal and child healthcare workers, and pharmacy staff to conduct science popularization tours, premarital check-up guidance, and free clinic activities. These efforts promote the concept that “prevention of birth defects begins with high-quality preconception care,” reaching millions of people of childbearing age.

Looking ahead, Bayer will remain steadfast in its commitment to helping parents and expectant parents welcome happy and healthy babies. Through its own efforts and deep collaboration with various sectors of society, Bayer will deliver nutritional interventions, education, and awareness campaigns to lower-tier cities, remote towns, and underserved regions, thereby contributing to a further reduction in the incidence of birth defects in China, safeguarding maternal and infant health, and giving every baby the best possible start in life.

[i] https://sightandlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SightandLife_SpecialReport_MMS_2020.pdf 

[ii] https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/micronutrient-malnutrition/micronutrients/index.html