National Council on Folic Acid
The March of Dimes is a member of the National Council on Folic Acid, a collaborative group of health organizations whose mission is to improve health by promoting the benefits and consumption of folic acid. The Council has two goals:
- To reduce folic-acid preventable birth defects by recommending that all women of childbearing age take 400 micrograms of synthetic folic acid daily from fortified foods and/or supplements, in addition to consuming food folate from a varied diet
- To communicate and promote emerging and new science on folic acid, especially as it relates to maternal and child health
Advocating for Folic Acid: A Guide for Health Professionals
The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) has launched Advocating for Folic Acid: A Guide for Health Professionals located at www.folicacid.net. This free, Web-based course is designed for current and emerging health professionals. It provides information about the benefits of folic acid and strategies for counseling individuals regarding folic acid intake.
The course contains detailed information for specific health professionals (allied health professionals, dentists, dietitians, physicians, nurses, optometrists, pharmacists and public health professionals), including why and when they should counsel individuals.
The March of Dimes is a sponsor of this project.
