Survey Finds Connecticut Mirrors Nation In Folic Acid Awareness
In Connecticut, 61 percent of people are aware of the importance of taking folic acid to reduce birth defects, according to a study, conducted for the March of Dimes by the Gallup Organization in 2001. The survey found that nationally awareness of folic acid is 63 percent, up from 59 percent a year ago. Among women of child-bearing age (18-44) awareness rose to 74 percent nationally, up from 68 percent a year ago. The level of awareness of women of child-bearing age is 74 percent in Connecticut.
Folic acid has been shown to prevent certain birth defects if taken by women before pregnancy. Research also suggests that folic acid may help prevent heart disease and some cancers in both women and men.
When the survey asked about taking a folic acid supplement or a vitamin containing folic acid on a daily basis, nationally 26 percent of participants responded positively, up from 23 percent last year. Among women of child-bearing age daily folic acid supplement consumption has increased to 32 percent from 29 percent last year. In Connecticut, 28 percent of those surveyed report taking folic acid daily.
The survey found that both awareness and consumption of folic acid were correlated to the respondents’ income and education. Nationally, those most likely to know about and take folic acid were white, female, college graduates.
Among the total surveyed nationally, more than half identified the media as their primary source of folic acid information.
During 2001, members of the Connecticut Folic Acid Task Force distributed folic acid education to 22,000 Connecticut residents in community settings. Another 2,100 health professionals received folic acid information at 76 different venues, including professional conferences and medical grand rounds programs. Thanks to segments on Robyn’s Nest and other media outlets, the importance of folic acid was also distributed to over 300,000 homes.
Since 1998 the March of Dimes has been leading a national education campaign about folic acid and its role in preventing birth defects. Several different posters, brochures, fact sheets and other resources about folic acid are also available from the March of Dimes locally at (860) 290-5440 or by calling 1-888-MODIMES.
