 |
 The
CDC, the March of Dimes, and the National Council on Folic Acid (NCFA)
have organized a national folic acid promotion effort for the
prevention of serious birth defects of the brain and spine (neural
tube defects or NTDs). The goal of the effort is to teach all
women about the importance of getting enough folic acid every day.
The effort aims to reach every woman who could possibly become
pregnant, as well as teach health care professionals and community
advocacy groups about the importance of folic acid. The CDC, the
March of Dimes, and NCFA have created messages, materials,
websites, and other tools to reach these three groups with the
folic acid message.
Research has helped identify two target groups of women who could
become pregnant and need to learn the folic acid message: women
planning a pregnancy (“contemplators”) and those not planning a
pregnancy (“non-contemplators”).
“Contemplators” generally fall in the 18-35 year old range and are
planning a pregnancy sometime in the next year or so. These women
are likely to consider changing their behaviors to prepare for a
healthy pregnancy. These women are open to messages about
pregnancy. Yet, most “contemplators” do not know when folic acid
is needed to prevent birth defects. So, education about needing to
take folic acid before getting pregnant and in the first few
months is important.
The “non-contemplators” are harder to reach. These young women are
usually 18-24 years of age and are not planning to become pregnant
anytime soon. Thoughts about getting pregnant are not on their
radar screen. They are less open to messages about pregnancy and
do not see behaviors that improve pregnancy outcomes as important
for them. As half of all pregnancies are not planned, it is
important that “non-contemplators” learn the benefit of taking a
multivitamin with folic acid every day, regardless of whether they
are planning to get pregnant or are not. Messages for these women
should focus on the idea that adopting this habit today can not
only provide general health benefits but also can help prevent a
birth defect in a baby they might want to have in the future.
If you are interested in supporting a folic acid promotion effort
in your area, you can find free educational materials online at:
http://www2.cdc.gov/ncbddd/faorder or email
Flo@cdc.gov to find out about
current folic acid activities in your area.
Date:
February 15, 2008
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities
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