Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) are a major global health issue, affecting billions of people and contributing to poor health, reduced educational attainment, and lower work capacity. MNDs are preventable and have a high return on investment, as they can be addressed through supplementation, fortification, and food-based approaches. The cycle of MNDs often persists across generations, with significant consequences for future populations. Iron, iodine, folate, vitamin A, and zinc deficiencies are the most common MNDs, leading to poor growth, intellectual impairment, perinatal complications, and increased morbidity and mortality. MNDs are particularly prevalent in pregnant women and children under five years of age. MNDs have long-term consequences throughout an individual's life and are perpetuated across generations. They affect infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, leading to stunted growth, impaired mental development, frequent infections, reduced productivity, poor socioeconomic status, and increased perinatal complications and mortality. Addressing MNDs is critical, especially during the first 1,000 days of life, to break the cycle of malnutrition. However, a coordinated, sustainable global effort is needed to scale up nutritional interventions. Supplementation is a cost-effective solution but does not address the root cause of MNDs. Food fortification may offer a more effective means to address MNDs, as it enables a larger segment of the population to be targeted. The choice of intervention should be based on the root cause and the scope and severity of the MND. Biomarkers of nutritional status can be influenced by infection and inflammation, making their interpretation complex. Understanding how to interpret biochemical indicators alongside clinical and functional indicators is key to characterizing the global burden of MNDs. The most effective interventions are those that address the root causes of MNDs, such as poverty, food insecurity, and poor nutrition. Strategies include supplementation, fortification, and food-based approaches like dietary diversification. Universal salt iodization is the most practical strategy to reduce iodine deficiency globally. Folic acid fortification has been effective in reducing neural tube defects. Zinc supplementation during pregnancy is associated with a significant reduction in preterm births. Multiple MNDs often coexist and are driven by food insecurity and other socioeconomic factors. The economic impact of MNDs is significant, with substantial financial burdens on societies. Early-life nutrition has long-lasting effects on individual and societal health, including poorer adult health, less educational attainment, and lower lifetime earning potential. Nutrition through bundled micronutrient interventions is recommended as the top global health issue to target resources toward.Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) are a major global health issue, affecting billions of people and contributing to poor health, reduced educational attainment, and lower work capacity. MNDs are preventable and have a high return on investment, as they can be addressed through supplementation, fortification, and food-based approaches. The cycle of MNDs often persists across generations, with significant consequences for future populations. Iron, iodine, folate, vitamin A, and zinc deficiencies are the most common MNDs, leading to poor growth, intellectual impairment, perinatal complications, and increased morbidity and mortality. MNDs are particularly prevalent in pregnant women and children under five years of age. MNDs have long-term consequences throughout an individual's life and are perpetuated across generations. They affect infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, leading to stunted growth, impaired mental development, frequent infections, reduced productivity, poor socioeconomic status, and increased perinatal complications and mortality. Addressing MNDs is critical, especially during the first 1,000 days of life, to break the cycle of malnutrition. However, a coordinated, sustainable global effort is needed to scale up nutritional interventions. Supplementation is a cost-effective solution but does not address the root cause of MNDs. Food fortification may offer a more effective means to address MNDs, as it enables a larger segment of the population to be targeted. The choice of intervention should be based on the root cause and the scope and severity of the MND. Biomarkers of nutritional status can be influenced by infection and inflammation, making their interpretation complex. Understanding how to interpret biochemical indicators alongside clinical and functional indicators is key to characterizing the global burden of MNDs. The most effective interventions are those that address the root causes of MNDs, such as poverty, food insecurity, and poor nutrition. Strategies include supplementation, fortification, and food-based approaches like dietary diversification. Universal salt iodization is the most practical strategy to reduce iodine deficiency globally. Folic acid fortification has been effective in reducing neural tube defects. Zinc supplementation during pregnancy is associated with a significant reduction in preterm births. Multiple MNDs often coexist and are driven by food insecurity and other socioeconomic factors. The economic impact of MNDs is significant, with substantial financial burdens on societies. Early-life nutrition has long-lasting effects on individual and societal health, including poorer adult health, less educational attainment, and lower lifetime earning potential. Nutrition through bundled micronutrient interventions is recommended as the top global health issue to target resources toward.