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Healthcare Provider Information
Address:
Garrett Co. Health Dept.
1025 Memorial Drive
Oakland, MD 21550
Main Phone:
301-334-7777
or 301-895-3111
FAX: 301-334-7701
See department pages for individual phone numbers
E-Mail Webmaster
Released: January 10, 2006
The Garrett County Health Department joins other jurisdictions and national organizations in celebrating National Folic Acid Awareness Week, January 9-15, 2006 in an effort to increase awareness among women about the benefits of folic acid consumption.
Research indicates that consumption of folic acid in women of childbearing age is a critical preventive measure to lower the rate of neural tube defects (NTDs), serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Folic acid is a B vitamin that is necessary for proper cell growth. Spina bifida, the most common NTD, is the leading cause of childhood paralysis and presents lifelong challenges for affected families.
Research has shown that if adequate amounts of folic acid are consumed before and during early pregnancy, up to 70 percent of neural tube defects such as spina bifida can be prevented. In addition, emerging research indicates that folic acid may reduce the risks of other birth defects, such as cleft lip, cleft palate and heart defects; and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and colon, cervical and breast cancer.
The United States Public health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day by taking a multivitamin and eating fortified grains in addition to a variety of foods as part of a health diet. In particular, women of childbearing age (even if they are not planning on becoming pregnant) should take folic acid to help prevent a pregnancy affected by a neural tube birth defect. Research has shown that if adequate amounts of folic acid are consumed before pregnancy, up to 70 percent of neural tube defects can be prevented. Considering that half of all pregnancies are unplanned, it is especially important that all women of childbearing age take folic acid daily to prevent NTDs – even before they are thinking of becoming pregnant.
For more information contact the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7770
or 301-895-3111 or visit www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid for information from the Centers for Disease Control.
Sincerely,
Carol Bass
WIC Program Director
Garrett County Health Department