Spina Bifida Association of Georgia
Prevention
Folic Acid/Spina Bifida Awareness and Prevention
Education is a key to reducing occurrences of spina bifida. Women of childbearing age who take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily prior to and during the first three months of pregnancy can reduce the risk of having a baby with spina bifida by up to 75%. The Folic Acid/Spina Bifida Association of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health (DPH) The SBAG/DPH collaboration utilizes SBAG-created educational materials to support DPH’s counseling process and provision of folic acid supplements in their family planning clinics. The second part of the program expands the target audience to include health care professionals throughout the state. SBAG provides educational materials to clinics, women’s centers, private physician offices, and migrant health centers throughout Georgia. The professionals in each of these centers are then asked to distribute the information to their clientele. The last area focuses more specifically on the Hispanic population due to the increased risk of spina bifida in that group. Presentations about folic acid and spina bifida have been conducted at organizations which serve the Hispanic community, such as English as a Second Language and Adult Education Centers, Hispanic owned-and-operated hair salons, churches with Spanish-language service, and at Hispanic restaurants. The program has also utilized extensive media outlets such as radio shows, television broadcasts, newspaper articles, and articles posted on the internet.