As infant mortality declines, two stats remain dangerously persistent: Black newborns are still three times as likely to die at birth than White babies and Black women are four to five times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than White women — regardless of income, education or lifestyle.
To help shrink that gap, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has joined once again with Vitamin Angels, a global public health nutrition organization, to bring health to underserved communities. In September, the WBA and Vitamin Angels pilot program launched in select Chicago neighborhoods to offer a free six-month supply of prenatal vitamins to pregnant women and those hoping to get pregnant. Twenty-five percent of pregnancies in the United States experience limited access to prenatal vitamins and minerals due to gaps in insurance coverage during pregnancy. Those interested in the prenatal vitamin pilot program will receive vouchers from a WBA community partner for a free, six-month supply of prenatal vitamins. The vouchers are redeemable at 16 Walgreens stores on the South Side and West Side of Chicago.
Now in its eighth year, the WBA and Vitamin Angels’ partnership has helped more than 250 million at-risk pregnant women, new mothers and children gain access to life-changing vitamins and minerals. The program comes on the heels of WBA’s latest DEI report, entitled “Our Values. Our People. Our Differences,” which spotlights how the pharmacy retail leader has increased the representation of women and people of color in leadership across the company.
The WBA and Vitamin Angels’ also announced a new goal: Reaching 500 million women and children by the end of August 2025, which is the end of WBA’s fiscal year. “This milestone with Vitamin Angels is remarkable and exemplifies the commitment we have to the health and well-being of women and children around the world,” said Richard Ellis, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility, WBA. “I’m extremely proud of our partnership and the work we continue to do to help people lead healthier and happier lives.”
Since 2013, WBA has supported Vitamin Angels’ efforts to provide vitamins and minerals to undernourished women and children worldwide. Vitamin Angels helps at-risk populations in need – specifically pregnant women, new mothers and children under five – gain access to life-changing vitamins and minerals. Vitamin Angels has program partners in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and in 65 additional countries.
“WBA has helped millions of mothers and children at risk of malnutrition by providing life-saving nutrients,” said Howard Schiffer, founder and president of Vitamin Angels. “We are honored to be partnered with them and look forward to our next milestone of 500 million vitamins distributed by 2025.”
One percent of retail sales of select vitamins and supplements sold at Walgreens and on Walgreens.com helps mothers and children in the U.S. and around the world. To help meet the nutritional needs of underserved communities in the U.S. and around the world, Vitamin Angels works directly with more than 2,000 program partners to put the vitamins directly in the hands of women and children who need them most. Vitamin Angels collaborates with this global community of program partners to promote equitable access to healthcare and nutrition.
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