News on Neural Tube Defects is Encouraging, But Health Professionals Can Do More to Educate Women, Says March of Dimes ATLANTA, SEPT. 18 – New data showing that spina bifida and other neural tube defects are decreasing are very encouraging, the March of Dimes said, but more could be accomplished if more health professionals encouraged women of childbearing age to take a folic acid multivitamin every day.
Speaking today at a news conference held by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nancy S. Green, M.D., medical director of the March of Dimes, said that a 2002 nationwide March of Dimes survey -- sponsored by CDC and conducted by The Gallup Organization – showed that only 31 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 45, and who are not currently pregnant, are taking folic acid.
Dr. Green said the survey also found that a majority of women who did not consume folic acid daily said they would be likely to take the vitamin if their physician or other health care provider recommended it.
“We call on physicians, nurses, midwives, and other health professionals to use every contact they have with women of childbearing age to urge them to take a multivitamin with folic acid daily, ” Dr. Green said.
“We intend to broaden our outreach efforts to health care professionals. Last year, we introduced a program for pharmacists. Now we’re working on a Web-based curriculum for graduate levels students in the following fields: osteopathic medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, allied health, and public health. This curriculum was developed by the Association of Schools of Public Health with March of Dimes support. We also will promote a CD-ROM training program for medical students and continue to support grand rounds for doctors and nurses,” Dr. Green said.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com, its Spanish Web site at www.nacersano.org, or call 1-888-MODIMES. For more information on the annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica, visit the Web site at www.walkamerica.org.
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