The "First 1000 Days of Life" is defined by the World Health Organization as a critical window of opportunity for human growth and development. Nutritional status during this period not only affects children's physical and intellectual development but also profoundly influences their health in adulthood. Against the backdrop of China's comprehensive promotion of the "Healthy China" and "Rural Revitalization" strategies, maternal and child health, as the cornerstone of national health, has garnered significant attention.
To actively respond to the construction of a Healthy China and support rural revitalization, Mead Johnson China officially established the Mead Johnson Public Welfare Foundation in 2020. Since entering the Chinese market in 1993, this century-old international nutrition brand has been committed to combining cutting-edge infant nutrition research with local needs through its localized independent operations.
As the first foreign-funded public welfare foundation in the infant formula sector, the Mead Johnson Public Welfare Foundation adheres to its original aspiration of "Born from Love" and the vision of "Protecting New Life, Nourishing Health, and Empowering the Future." Leveraging Mead Johnson's century-long scientific research heritage, the foundation systematically carries out public welfare projects, focusing on improving maternal and child health in rural areas, supporting children with rare diseases, and fostering fertility-friendly communities.
**Five Years of Dedication: The "Passing Love, Better Start" Project Benefits Over 200,000 Families** Over the past five years, the Mead Johnson Public Welfare Foundation has built a comprehensive public welfare system. Focusing on the critical "First 1000 Days of Life," the foundation has achieved remarkable results in rural maternal and child health, rare disease care, and fertility-friendly community development through systematic initiatives.
Since its launch in 2021, the flagship project "Passing Love, Better Start" has demonstrated outstanding execution. Covering more than 100 counties and cities nationwide, including Linzhi in Tibet, Pingshan in Hebei, and Bijie in Guizhou, the project has directly benefited over 200,000 mothers and infants. It has also innovatively trained grassroots medical workers, establishing long-term support mechanisms.
Notably, the project has made significant breakthroughs in empirical research. The 2023 "Report on Early Life Nutrition Intervention Practices in Central and Western China" provided scientific evidence that early-life nutrition interventions effectively improve key health indicators such as stunting rates in infants and anemia rates in pregnant women and infants, offering a theoretical basis for rural maternal and child nutrition improvement.
The foundation's targeted care for children with rare diseases is equally impressive. For infants with congenital metabolic disorders like Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA), Mead Johnson leverages its global R&D strengths to provide specialized nutrition, ensuring their healthy growth. The company has developed 17 special medical-purpose formula products for such rare diseases.
For example, the "Lemon Baby" care project, despite fewer than 1,000 new cases annually in China, reflects Mead Johnson's commitment to R&D and production, showcasing its deep understanding of corporate social responsibility. These specialized formulas not only address the lack of effective nutritional support but also cater to the developmental needs of these special infants.
**From Emergency Response to Systemic Empowerment: Building a Sustainable Public Welfare Ecosystem** In response to natural disasters, the Mead Johnson Public Welfare Foundation has demonstrated professional emergency response capabilities. Since joining the China Children and Teenagers' Fund's "Disaster Relief Alliance" in 2022, the foundation has established a mature emergency response mechanism.
During major disasters like the Tibet earthquake, Zhuozhou floods in Hebei, and typhoons in Hainan, the foundation donated over 87,000 cans of formula, ensuring timely delivery to affected mothers and infants through internal green channels, effectively safeguarding their nutritional needs.
More importantly, the foundation upholds the principle of "teaching people to fish." Collaborating with authoritative institutions like the Maternal and Child Nutrition Branch of the Chinese Nutrition Society and the National Institute for Nutrition and Health, the foundation co-authored and published the "Training Manual for Grassroots Medical Workers on Maternal and Child Nutrition." This manual, tailored to rural medical realities, provides practical guidance for grassroots healthcare providers. Additionally, the foundation conducted training programs in Xihé (Gansu), Pingshan (Hebei), and Bole (Xinjiang), significantly enhancing local maternal and child health services.
In terms of public welfare innovation, the foundation introduced a "5:1 Donation Matching" mechanism this year. This initiative transforms consumers' daily purchases into acts of charity—for every five cans of formula purchased, consumers receive a donation certificate, and Mead Johnson donates one can to children in rural areas. This model not only broadens public participation but also inspires broader societal engagement.
After five years of dedication, the Mead Johnson Public Welfare Foundation has extended its reach to 21 provinces and three municipalities, supporting over 300,000 families with donations exceeding 150 million RMB. Recognized for its professionalism and impact, the foundation has received numerous accolades, including the ESG Rural Revitalization Excellence Award, Model Foundation of the Year, and Outstanding Contribution to Rural Revitalization, along with three consecutive years of Grade A transparency ratings from Guangzhou's charity organization evaluations.
**Looking Ahead: Expanding from "First 1000 Days" to Lifelong Health Services** At this five-year milestone, the foundation aims to extend its successful "First 1000 Days" model to lifelong health services. Under the dual-strategy of "Infants + Children & Adults," the foundation will innovate public welfare models to cover broader populations, exploring synergies between public welfare and commercial growth.
In an interview, Zhao Li, Senior Vice President of Mead Johnson China and Chairperson of the Mead Johnson Public Welfare Foundation, shared insights into the foundation's strategic planning and future directions.
**Q: What motivated Mead Johnson to establish the foundation in 2020?** Zhao Li: In 2020, China was advancing the "Healthy China" and "Rural Revitalization" strategies, with unprecedented consensus on maternal and child health. Recognizing that protecting newborns safeguards family hopes and societal futures, we leveraged our century-long scientific expertise to systematically address critical nutritional needs during the "First 1000 Days."
**Q: Why focus on rural maternal health, rare diseases, and fertility-friendly communities?** Zhao Li: A healthy future hinges on the "First 1000 Days" and its social environment. With 75% of China's 0-3-year-olds in rural areas, our "Passing Love, Better Start" project delivers evidence-based nutrition to improve health outcomes. Rare disease care, like our "Lemon Baby" project, addresses highly specialized needs, while community initiatives like "Sunflower Parent-Child Centers" foster supportive environments.
**Q: What criteria guide your choice of partners?** Zhao Li: We prioritize shared values, aligned goals, and amplified impact. Partners must embrace our vision and scientific approach while possessing grassroots reach. For instance, collaborations with the China Children and Teenagers' Fund ensure precise delivery of aid through local networks.
**Q: How do public welfare and business intersect?** Zhao Li: Public welfare embodies Mead Johnson's "scientific evidence" ethos, translating brand promises into action. Our on-ground projects inform R&D, driving innovations that address real societal needs, creating a sustainable cycle of mutual reinforcement.
**Q: What are the foundation's next five-year priorities?** Zhao Li: We will expand from maternal and infant health to lifelong services, leveraging our "Infants + Children & Adults" strategy. Building on past successes, we’ll extend proven models to broader populations, including functional nutrition products for aging populations, aligning with national efforts to address demographic challenges. Our goal is to evolve from a donor to a lifelong empowerment platform, fostering a resilient future for China's health.
Comments