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.