The Virginia Department of Health Observes National Folic Acid Awareness Week, Jan. 9-15
VDH issues a news release announcing that although 84 percent of women in the United States are aware of folic acid, only 33 percent take it daily, according to a national survey conducted by the Gallup Organization. Daily consumption of 400 micrograms of the B vitamin folic acid can reduce the risk of certain birth defects of the brain and spine by as much as 70 percent.
"We are encouraged that women are aware of folic acid,” said Kathy Orchen, nutrition liaison with the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Division of WIC and Community Nutrition Services. "We urge them to take the next step and take a multivitamin containing folic acid every day.”
The best way to get enough folic acid is to take a multivitamin containing folic acid or a folic acid supplement every day. Many foods also contain high levels of folic acid, including enriched cereal, bread, rice, pasta and other grain products, orange juice, dried beans, lentils, spinach, asparagus.
Kathy Orchen, Virginia Folic Acid Campaign Manager, Virginia Department of Health, convened the annual meeting of the Virginia Council on Folic Acid, in coordination with the Virginia Chapter of the March of Dimes.
The keynote speaker, Katharine Wenstrom, M.D., conducted a presentation entitled "Folic Acid: The Prevention of Neural Tube Defects and Its Expanded Role in Health.” Dr. Wenstrom is a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her specialties include clinical genetics, maternal and fetal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology.
Sharon Williams, M.S., R.N., Virginia Genetics Program, Virginia Department of Health, provided an update on Virginia Newborn Screening Services, including the expanded newborn screening panel.
VDH issues a news release announcing that beginning in July, VDH will offer free folic acid supplements to family planning patients in 19 of its health districts. Studies have shown that daily consumption of 400 micrograms of the B vitamin folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine such as spina bifida and anencephaly, the two most common neural tube defects, by as much as 70 percent.
"These birth defects can occur during the first month of pregnancy when most women would not even know they’re pregnant,” said State Health Commissioner, Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. That is why it is important for women who may become pregnant to take folic acid regularly.”
Approximately 43,000 women, or 59 percent of VDH’s family planning patients, are expected to receive the supplements during the two-year project.
VDH issues a news release announcing that the National Council on Folic Acid is launching National Folic Acid Awareness Week, January 24-30, 2005. The folic acid campaign, "Folic Acid: You Don’t Know What You’re Missing!” will focus on making the public aware of the importance of folic acid.
"The Virginia Department of Health has worked with the March of Dimes since 1999 to promote the consumption of folic acid and neural tube defect prevention," said State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H.
A public service announcement featuring Virginia’s first lady Lisa Collis urging women to take folic acid to prevent birth defects will be distributed to various television stations. Support has also been extended to grocery stores, universities, and nutrition training programs in an effort to support folic acid awareness.
Kathy Orchen, Virginia Folic Acid Campaign Manager, Virginia Department of Health, convened the annual meeting of the Virginia Council on Folic Acid, in coordination with the Virginia Chapter of the March of Dimes.
The keynote speaker, - Thomas W. Sadler, Ph.D., Professor (retired), University of North Carolina, School of Medicine Cell and Developmental Biology, conducted a presentation entitled "The Origin and Prevention of Birth Defects: Timing is Everything." Sadler has investigated the roles of environmental agents, maternal diabetes, and altered gene expression on neural tube closure and defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. His most recent work focused on the roles of choline and folic acid in neural tube development.
The article "Are You Discussing Folic Acid With Your Patients" by the Virginia Department of Health was published as a Special Article in the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians newsletter. The article noted that health care providers are recognized to be important motivators of health behavior changes. The article stated, "According to the Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report published May 7, 2004 (53(17);362-365), health care providers can have a substantial impact on the increased use of folic acid. The report stated, "A total of 88 percent of women of reproductive age report that they would take a folic acid containing supplement if their health-care provider recommended it."
Folic acid is a B vitamin that prevents certain birth defects and may reduce your risk for heart disease and certain cancers.
Make sure you get enough folic acid every day through a multivitamin or folic acid pill and eat healthy.
Virginia Folic Acid Campaign
Tahnee Causey, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor
109 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
