Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS), among the top investments for development
Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) is named one of the best investments for development by the Copenhagen Consensus
The world is woefully off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 2 to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030. An estimated 25 million children are expected to suffer from chronic undernourishment in 2023 alone, at a staggering global cost of approximately US$1 trillion.
Malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients are major factors in maternal and child mortality, as well as poor human development. Investing in nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life (from conception to around two years of age) is crucial to breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and malnutrition.
The 2023 Copenhagen Consensus report provides a comprehensive economic evaluation of three evidence-based interventions to address undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies during this critical window of opportunity: lipid-based nutrient supplements, complementary feeding promotion, and multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) plus calcium for pregnant women.
Governments already provide pregnant women with iron-folic acid (IFA) supplements to improve maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. According to the report by leading economists, replacing IFA supplements with MMS can provide additional health benefits and higher economic returns. This simple change could result in a total annual benefit of over US$3.1 billion, while improving the health and well-being of 36 million pregnant women and their babies each year.
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One of the best bets for development - Micronutrients!
Copenhagen Consensus has named Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) one of the top 12 best investments for development.
Watch the recording of the webinar held on 17 May 2023 to learn more about this investment and others from the Copenhagen Consensus Halftime Report on Nutrition. The report’s lead author, John Hoddinott, global experts such as Meera Shekar (World Bank), Alok Ranjan (Power of Nutrition), Martin Mwangi (HMHB, MNF) and national actors, Luz Tagunicar (Phillippines) and Franciz Zotto (Ghana) discussed the investment case for nutrition interventions and their potential to transform the lives of millions of vulnerable mothers and babies worldwide.
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Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation in Pregnancy: One of the Best Investments for Development