Boosting Maternal Health: Walgreens and Vitamin Angels’ Prenatal Vitamin Program
The journey of pregnancy can be challenging, encompassing physical transformations, emotional upheavals, and often financial strains, particularly for those women who do not have adequate access to healthcare. Walgreens has been collaborating with Vitamin Angels for a decade, pledging 1% of all retail sales from vitamins and supplements. This initiative has delivered essential vitamins to nearly 400 million vulnerable women and children in 65 countries, including all 50 states in the U.S. The goal is to extend this aid to 500 million women and children worldwide by August 2025.
In 2021, a joint venture between Walgreens and Vitamin Angels led to the launch of a prenatal vitamin pilot program in the U.S., offering prenatal vitamins and nutritional education to expectant mothers. Following the initial success of the pilot program, it was extended this summer to 12 more markets and almost 400 additional stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
The program’s reach was further broadened by introducing a direct shipping option for women in certain eligible zip codes. Moreover, some Walgreens pharmacies that provide these prenatal vitamins are now conveniently located within healthcare facilities such as hospitals and medical office buildings.
"Our partnership started in 2013 to continue Vitamin Angels' momentum of improving maternal health in local underserved communities. Walgreens has been a fantastic partner in scaling this effort to create a long-term, sustainable program that reached even more women across the country," said Jessica Karas, director of development operations at Vitamin Angels.
Promoting Maternal Health Locally
Currently, the United States is home to around 1 million disadvantaged expectant mothers who have little or no access to prenatal vitamins. The obstacles preventing these women from obtaining these vital supplements can vary widely, encompassing issues such as gaps in insurance coverage during pregnancy, lack of transportation, and financial hardships due to poverty and unemployment.
"When a mother finds out she's expecting, it comes with so many changes, both physical and emotional," said Robyn Williams, mother of two and regional healthcare director for Walgreens Gulf Coast, an area where the pilot has expanded in recent months.
"And then some mothers are faced with financial challenges that can be incredibly stressful. It doesn't have to be like that. Healthy pregnancies are within reach. And we want to make sure their journey is as seamless as possible."
With the expansion of the program to areas identified as needing more substantial support for maternal health, a greater number of underserved pregnant women now have the opportunity to obtain a complimentary bottle of prenatal vitamins from Vitamin Angels. The success of the pilot program is largely due to community partners who distribute free informational vouchers and promote the program among pregnant women in their communities. These vouchers can be redeemed either in-store or online, depending on the eligibility of their markets. Alternatively, women can also visit a participating Walgreens store and request vitamins from their local pharmacist.
The third phase of this pilot program was initiated on June 1, 2023. Since then, the demand for prenatal vitamins has surged, with over 1,900 voucher redemptions recorded to date.
At present, Vitamin Angels assists 250,000 American women annually. With the support of Walgreens, the goal is to double this figure and reach 500,000 women each year by December 31, 2024.
Enhancing the Process for Success
Over the past two years, the program has been refined and expanded to facilitate easier access to essential nutrients. This includes a direct shipping option in certain eligible zip codes for women who are unable to visit a Walgreens store, a crucial benefit for those without access to a car or convenient transportation.
"Based on the feedback we received, lack of transportation was almost unanimous among the women we spoke to," explains Karas.
With the expansion of the program to areas identified as needing more substantial support for maternal health, a greater number of underserved pregnant women now have the opportunity to obtain a complimentary bottle of prenatal vitamins from Vitamin Angels. The success of the pilot program is largely due to community partners who distribute free informational vouchers and promote the program among pregnant women in their communities. These vouchers can be redeemed either in-store or online, depending on the eligibility of their markets. Alternatively, women can also visit a participating Walgreens store and request vitamins from their local pharmacist.
The third phase of this pilot program was initiated on June 1, 2023. Since then, the demand for prenatal vitamins has surged, with over 1,900 voucher redemptions recorded to date.
At present, Vitamin Angels assists 250,000 American women annually. With the support of Walgreens, the goal is to double this figure and reach 500,000 women each year by December 31, 2024.
Enhancing the Process for Success
Over the past two years, the program has been refined and expanded to facilitate easier access to essential nutrients. This includes a direct shipping option in certain eligible zip codes for women who are unable to visit a Walgreens store, a crucial benefit for those without access to a car or convenient transportation.
"One of the most exciting developments in this phase has been the inclusion of Walgreens pharmacies within health systems," says Alethia Jackson, senior vice president, ESG and chief DEI officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance. "After patients receive prenatal care, their immediate next step can be to visit the pharmacy onsite and receive vitamins. It's a full circle moment that takes one thing off the plate for expecting mothers and entrusts them with a local pharmacist for any further support they need on their pregnancy journey."
Creating a Lasting Effect
Hope Tran is someone who understands the significance of prenatal vitamins better than most. She is not only a specialty pharmacist at Walgreens but is also expecting her second child.
"Nutrition plays a huge role in pregnancy, I know that firsthand. A typical diet doesn't necessarily contain all the vitamins that my baby and I need," said Tran. "So I know that when I take my prenatal vitamins every day it'll supplement what I eat and boost the likelihood that the pregnancy will be a healthy one."
As per the Mayo Clinic, the daily intake of prenatal vitamins significantly enhances the health of the mother and the development of the baby, both during pregnancy and after birth. These vitamins often increase the baby’s birth weight and enhance functions in their brain and spinal cord. The nutrients present in prenatal supplements, such as vitamin D, can lower the risk of conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, or C-section delivery.
Expectant mothers are provided with a six-month supply of Vitamin Angels’ prenatal vitamins, with the option to request more if required. The ultimate objective is to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a good start in life for families in communities that have not received this kind of support previously.
"Being a part of this partnership with Vitamin Angels gives me a great sense of pride," said Williams while adding, "Really, what can be more important than giving babies and mothers nutritional support? It starts them on a foundation for a healthy life."
In 2021, a joint venture between Walgreens and Vitamin Angels led to the launch of a prenatal vitamin pilot program in the U.S., offering prenatal vitamins and nutritional education to expectant mothers. Following the initial success of the pilot program, it was extended this summer to 12 more markets and almost 400 additional stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
The program’s reach was further broadened by introducing a direct shipping option for women in certain eligible zip codes. Moreover, some Walgreens pharmacies that provide these prenatal vitamins are now conveniently located within healthcare facilities such as hospitals and medical office buildings.
"Our partnership started in 2013 to continue Vitamin Angels' momentum of improving maternal health in local underserved communities. Walgreens has been a fantastic partner in scaling this effort to create a long-term, sustainable program that reached even more women across the country," said Jessica Karas, director of development operations at Vitamin Angels.
Promoting Maternal Health Locally
Currently, the United States is home to around 1 million disadvantaged expectant mothers who have little or no access to prenatal vitamins. The obstacles preventing these women from obtaining these vital supplements can vary widely, encompassing issues such as gaps in insurance coverage during pregnancy, lack of transportation, and financial hardships due to poverty and unemployment.
"When a mother finds out she's expecting, it comes with so many changes, both physical and emotional," said Robyn Williams, mother of two and regional healthcare director for Walgreens Gulf Coast, an area where the pilot has expanded in recent months.
"And then some mothers are faced with financial challenges that can be incredibly stressful. It doesn't have to be like that. Healthy pregnancies are within reach. And we want to make sure their journey is as seamless as possible."
With the expansion of the program to areas identified as needing more substantial support for maternal health, a greater number of underserved pregnant women now have the opportunity to obtain a complimentary bottle of prenatal vitamins from Vitamin Angels. The success of the pilot program is largely due to community partners who distribute free informational vouchers and promote the program among pregnant women in their communities. These vouchers can be redeemed either in-store or online, depending on the eligibility of their markets. Alternatively, women can also visit a participating Walgreens store and request vitamins from their local pharmacist.
The third phase of this pilot program was initiated on June 1, 2023. Since then, the demand for prenatal vitamins has surged, with over 1,900 voucher redemptions recorded to date.
At present, Vitamin Angels assists 250,000 American women annually. With the support of Walgreens, the goal is to double this figure and reach 500,000 women each year by December 31, 2024.
Enhancing the Process for Success
Over the past two years, the program has been refined and expanded to facilitate easier access to essential nutrients. This includes a direct shipping option in certain eligible zip codes for women who are unable to visit a Walgreens store, a crucial benefit for those without access to a car or convenient transportation.
"Based on the feedback we received, lack of transportation was almost unanimous among the women we spoke to," explains Karas.
With the expansion of the program to areas identified as needing more substantial support for maternal health, a greater number of underserved pregnant women now have the opportunity to obtain a complimentary bottle of prenatal vitamins from Vitamin Angels. The success of the pilot program is largely due to community partners who distribute free informational vouchers and promote the program among pregnant women in their communities. These vouchers can be redeemed either in-store or online, depending on the eligibility of their markets. Alternatively, women can also visit a participating Walgreens store and request vitamins from their local pharmacist.
The third phase of this pilot program was initiated on June 1, 2023. Since then, the demand for prenatal vitamins has surged, with over 1,900 voucher redemptions recorded to date.
At present, Vitamin Angels assists 250,000 American women annually. With the support of Walgreens, the goal is to double this figure and reach 500,000 women each year by December 31, 2024.
Enhancing the Process for Success
Over the past two years, the program has been refined and expanded to facilitate easier access to essential nutrients. This includes a direct shipping option in certain eligible zip codes for women who are unable to visit a Walgreens store, a crucial benefit for those without access to a car or convenient transportation.
"One of the most exciting developments in this phase has been the inclusion of Walgreens pharmacies within health systems," says Alethia Jackson, senior vice president, ESG and chief DEI officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance. "After patients receive prenatal care, their immediate next step can be to visit the pharmacy onsite and receive vitamins. It's a full circle moment that takes one thing off the plate for expecting mothers and entrusts them with a local pharmacist for any further support they need on their pregnancy journey."
Creating a Lasting Effect
Hope Tran is someone who understands the significance of prenatal vitamins better than most. She is not only a specialty pharmacist at Walgreens but is also expecting her second child.
"Nutrition plays a huge role in pregnancy, I know that firsthand. A typical diet doesn't necessarily contain all the vitamins that my baby and I need," said Tran. "So I know that when I take my prenatal vitamins every day it'll supplement what I eat and boost the likelihood that the pregnancy will be a healthy one."
As per the Mayo Clinic, the daily intake of prenatal vitamins significantly enhances the health of the mother and the development of the baby, both during pregnancy and after birth. These vitamins often increase the baby’s birth weight and enhance functions in their brain and spinal cord. The nutrients present in prenatal supplements, such as vitamin D, can lower the risk of conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, or C-section delivery.
Expectant mothers are provided with a six-month supply of Vitamin Angels’ prenatal vitamins, with the option to request more if required. The ultimate objective is to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a good start in life for families in communities that have not received this kind of support previously.
"Being a part of this partnership with Vitamin Angels gives me a great sense of pride," said Williams while adding, "Really, what can be more important than giving babies and mothers nutritional support? It starts them on a foundation for a healthy life."
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