National Folic Acid Awareness Week

In 2023, Folic Acid Awareness Week is September 10-16!

Folic Acid Awareness Week is recognized the second full week in September. During Folic Acid Awareness Week, we invite you to connect with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) to celebrate the successes of folic acid supplementation and fortification in preventing serious birth defects of the spine and brain. These birth defects, spina bifida and anencephaly, are types of neural tube defects (NTDs) that develop very early in pregnancy, before most women even know they are pregnant. 

Folic acid is a B-vitamin that is necessary for proper cell growth. If taken before and during early pregnancy, folic acid can prevent up to 70% of these serious birth defects.

Please help us share this key information with your friends, family, and networks!

  schedule of events      social media       finding statistics        other resources

2022 Schedule of Events 

Day/Time

Activity

On Demand
Release date:
Friday, 9/9/2022


MotherToBaby Folic Acid Podcast

Listen here
Target Audience: general public

MotherToBaby Podcast host Chris Stallman, a mom-of-four, genetic counselor, and MotherToBaby information specialist, discusses folic acid and MTHFR gene variants with a nurse researcher from CDC and answers questions from pregnant persons and parents about vitamins and the need to take a supplement even when you eat a healthy diet. 
Wednesday, 9/14/2022
3:00-4:00pm Eastern
* A recording will be posted on or around 10/17/2022

CDC Webinar: Folic Acid: The Best Tool to Prevent Neural Tube Defects 

Listen to the recording here
Target Audience: Health Care Providers

September 2022 marked the 30 year anniversary of the U.S. Public Health Service’s folic acid recommendation for prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). CDC held a free webinar about folic acid and why it remains the best tool available to prevent these serious birth defects of the brain and spine.
Misinformation on this topic has spread on-line in recent years and may be challenging for patients to make informed decisions. In this webinar, CDC experts describe the sustained impact of folic acid on the prevention of NTDs, address different forms of folate and why folic acid is the only form proven for NTD prevention, and provide recommendations for people with MTHFR gene variants.
CDC was joined by Shannon Clark, MD, MMS, FACOG for an interactive discussion where she shared her experiences counseling patients about NTD prevention, how she addresses misinformation about folic acid, and how healthcare professionals can improve collaboration within the healthcare team to improve folic acid intake to prevent NTDs
All week

Daily social media posts from NBDPN

Social Media 

Here are some examples of images and posts you can you use to help spread the word about folic acid and the Power to Prevent - during Folic Acid Awareness Week or anytime of the year ! Just copy and paste, and add your own pictures or images of how you get your daily folic acid.

Images

Right click the image you wish to use and select "Save image as" and save the image on your device. Go to your social media account and upload the image to your Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. You can post the image alone, add your own message or choose/modify one of the sample posts provided below.























Sample posts

General posts about folic acid

In 1992, the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) recommended people capable of becoming pregnant consume 400mcgs of folic acid daily to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

In Spanish:
En 1992, el Servicio de Salud Pública de los EE. UU. recomendó a todas las mujeres que pueden quedar embarazadas que tomen un suplemento con 400 mcg de ácido fólico al día para prevenir defectos del tubo neural.

Did you know that about 3,000 pregnancies are affected by a defect of the spine (spina bifida) or brain (anencephaly) every year in the US? These conditions are also known as neural tube defects or NTDs. Up to 70% of NTDs can be prevented if women take daily folic acid BEFORE becoming pregnant and during early pregnancy. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Many states monitor how many babies are born with neural tube defects (NTDs) like anencephaly and spina bifida. Data from state programs show there were about 7-8 babies born with an NTD for every 10,000 live births. Folic acid helps prevent these birth defects! Take you folic acid every day. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

While many foods that include wheat flour are fortified with folic acid in the United States, other common staple foods like corn masa flour, are not fortified often. This is one reason why Latinas are more likely to have babies born with neural tube defects. No matter your diet, make sure to take 400 mcg of #folicacid daily #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

CDC has a great source of information about folic acid. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Did you know that NTDs, birth defects of the spine and brain, form before a woman even knows she is pregnant? That's why women should get 400 mcgs of folic acid every day if there is a chance they could become pregnant. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Test your knowledge about folic acid by taking the Folic Acid Quiz! #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Timing is important! Neural tube defects (NTDs) form very early in pregnancy, before most women even recognize they are pregnant. Women who are of childbearing age should take 400mcgs of folic acid daily to ensure they have enough in their system to reduce the risk of an NTD should they become pregnant. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Some women only start taking a multivitamin when they get pregnant, but it is important to also take a daily vitamin with 400 mcgs of folic acid BEFORE pregnancy to prevent serious birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

For people not planning a pregnancy

Folic acid is a B vitamin important in making new cells. Folic acid protects the health of women throughout life, regardless of pregnancy plans. Even if you eat a healthy diet, it's difficult to get enough, so take a daily vitamin with 400mcgs of folic acid! #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

So you have your vitamins with folic acid, but just can't seem to remember to take them daily? Use a pillbox, set doses where you see them (at work/school, on nightstand), take it when you brush your teeth, set a daily alarm, or use an app! You can do it! #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Multivitamins too pricey? Try store brands or a folic acid-only supplement. Or check with your state health department to see if there are free/discounted vitamin programs in your area! #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Some state health departments have free vitamin programs! If you live in Utah, check out Power Your Life or if you live in Arizona, Power Me A2Z! #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Some pharmacies have free vitamin programs to ensure women can get their daily folic acid to help prevent birth defects in a future pregnancy. Find a pharmacy that participates in a vitamin program here! #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Worried about taking folic acid? Even if you have an MTHFR variant, you can process all types of folate, including folic acid. Check out @CDC for the latest information on folic acid and MTHFR variants. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent 

For people planning a pregnancy

Timing is important! Neural tube defects (NTDs) form very early in pregnancy, before most women even recognize they are pregnant. Women who are of childbearing age should take 400mcgs of folic acid daily to ensure they have enough in their system to reduce the risk of an NTD should they become pregnant. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Did you know that NTDs, birth defects of the spine and brain, form before a woman even knows she is pregnant? That's why women should get 400 mcgs of folic acid every day if there is a chance they could become pregnant. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Some women only start taking a multivitamin when they get pregnant, but it is important to also take a daily vitamin with 400 mcgs of folic acid BEFORE pregnancy to prevent serious birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Worried about taking folic acid? Even if you have an MTHFR variant, you can process all types of folate, including folic acid. Check out @CDC for the latest information on folic acid and MTHFR variants. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent 

Planning to get pregnant soon? Start a healthy habit today and get 400mcg of folic acid every day. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/index.html 

In Spanish:
¿Planeas quedar embarazada pronto? Comienza un hábito saludable hoy y toma 400mcg de ácido fólico todos los días. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/index.html #ÁcidoFólico #PowerToPrevent

For Health Care Providers

Health care providers, what you say matters! Remember to advise women to take a vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid daily to help prevent serious birth defects of the spine and brain, regardless of their intention to become pregnant. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Timing is important! Neural tube defects (NTDs) form very early in pregnancy, before most women even recognize they are pregnant. Women who are of childbearing age should take 400mcgs of folic acid daily to ensure they have enough in their system to reduce the risk of an NTD should they become pregnant. #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Let's celebrate 30 years of preventing serious birth defects of the spine and brain! In 1992, the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) recommended people capable of becoming pregnant consume 400mcgs of folic acid daily to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). #folicacid #PowerToPrevent

Finding Statistics

March of Dimes PeriStats provides free access to maternal and infant health-related data at the US, state, county, and city level:

  • Folic Acid: self reported multivitamin use in the month before pregnancy. Source: PRAMS

  • Birth Defects: Prevalence of Spina Bifida or Anencephaly, Source: State and local birth defects surveillance systems

Example of Spina Bifida Prevalence from Georgia:

Recent Publications

Folic Acid and the Prevention of Birth Defects: 30 Years of Opportunity and Controversies

Crider KS, Qi YP, Yeung LF, et al. Folic Acid and the Prevention of Birth Defects: 30 Years of Opportunity and Controversies. Annu Rev Nutr. 2022;42:423-452. doi:10.1146/annurev-nutr-043020-091647

Changes in Spina Bifida Lesion Level After Folic Acid Fortification in the US

Mai CT, Evans J, Alverson CJ, et al. Changes in Spina Bifida Lesion Level After Folic Acid Fortification in the US [published online ahead of print, 2022 Jun 27]. J Pediatr. 2022;S0022-3476(22)00597-2. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.06.023

Trends in Multivitamin Use Among Women of Reproductive Age: United States, 2006-2016

Wong EC, Rose CE, Flores AL, Yeung LF. Trends in Multivitamin Use Among Women of Reproductive Age: United States, 2006-2016. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2019;28(1):37-45. doi:10.1089/jwh.2018.7075

Other Resources

CDC


March of Dimes


MotherToBaby


Unique Tools and Resources from State Programs

Power Me A2Z - Arizona Department of Health Services
Website for women, couples and families, including a program for free vitamins for Arizona women  
Power Your Life Power Your Health - Utah Department of Health 
Website for women, couples and families, including a program for free vitamins for Utah women  

Food Folate Food Game - Florida Folic Acid Coalition
Plan meals with foods high in folate below and supplement with 400mcg of folic acid!

Folic Acid: Your Vitamin For Life - Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition website

Folic Acid Take it for Your Health - Michigan Department of Community Health
Brochures featuring women from diverse communities available in English, Arabic, and Spanish