In recognition of National Folic Acid Awareness Week, January 5- 9, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department is encouraging women to make a daily multi-vitamin part of the new year.
By increasing awareness about the benefits of daily folic acid intake, the Health Department hopes to decrease the number of babies born with birth defects.
The Health Department reports that more than one in six babies who die before their first birthday are born with birth defects, making it a significant cause of infant death in Hamilton County.
Jeannette McDonald, infant mortality reduction initiative coordinator, said, “Folic acid awareness is needed now more than ever. We need to educate all women that folic acid can help prevent birth defects such as spina bifida, the most common and permanently disabling birth defect."
The Health Department said women especially need folic acid, even if not planning to become pregnant. Approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned. Because of this, all enriched cereals and grain products in the U.S. are fortified with the B-vitamin folic acid. But, only one-third of U.S. women of childbearing age consume the recommended amount. Taking a multivitamin with folic acid everyday is a key way that women can get the recommended amount of 400 mcg. If a woman takes folic acid at least three to six months before she becomes pregnant, she is 70% less likely to have a baby with a birth defect.
Ms. McDonald said, “The message for women is simple: Be good to yourself in the new year – take a multivitamin with folic acid everyday, in addition to a healthy diet."
For more information about folic acid and national folic acid awareness Week, visit www.folicacidinfo.org. For more information about the infant mortality prevention program or the core leadership group grant proposals, please call Jeannette McDonald at (423) 209-8060.