A recent study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggests that taking multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) during pregnancy could help reduce the risk of maternal anemia, stillbirth, and low-birthweight babies. Maternal anemia, a condition in which a woman's blood has too few red blood cells, is a major health concern, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Severe postpartum hemorrhage, or heavy bleeding after childbirth, is the leading cause of maternal death globally, and anemia is thought to contribute to nearly half of these cases. For decades, iron and folic acid tablets have been the standard nutritional supplement for pregnant women. However, experts say this approach only addresses one of six types of anemia. MMS includes iron and folic acid, as well as 13 other essential vitamins and minerals. Research published in the British Medical Journal suggests that replacing iron and folic acid with MMS could prevent 3.5 million low-birthweight births and 186,000 stillbirths over five years in 25 low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization reports that MMS reduces maternal anemia by 12 percent compared to iron and folic acid alone. Some studies also suggest that MMS may help reduce childhood stunting and may be linked to better brain development in babies born to mothers who are not anemic. The Micronutrient Forum, a global organization focused on improving nutrition, supports the use of MMS and notes that providing these supplements throughout pregnancy costs as little as $2 per woman. Although MMS has been available since the 1990s, recent advancements in medical technology and manufacturing have made them more affordable and accessible. As a result, more countries are considering or implementing MMS programs. In May, ministers from Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Pakistan committed to integrating MMS into their national antenatal care systems, with over 30 other countries exploring or trialing the supplement. In Sierra Leone, where more than half of pregnant women are estimated to be anemic, pilot programs using MMS have shown reductions in infant mortality, stillbirths, and preterm births. Feimata Russell, a National Micronutrient Officer at Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, emphasizes that MMS works best when combined with good antenatal care, malaria prevention, deworming, and a balanced diet. Umu Alfa Jaloh, the Sierra Leone country director for Helen Keller International, notes that officials from Kenya and Cambodia have visited to learn from Sierra Leone’s experience with MMS, highlighting the importance of involving communities from the start. Health workers report fewer cases of anemia and pregnancy complications, along with healthier-looking babies.