What is the Alaska Folic Acid Coalition?
The State of Alaska Folic Acid Coalition, established March 1999, is part of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
National March of Dimes, and
National Council on Folic Acid's
nationwide campaign effort to prevent serious birth defects by educating women of
reproductive age about the benefits of consuming 400 mcg of the B Vitamin Folic Acid
daily.
What is the purpose of the Alaska Folic Acid Coalition?
In accordance with the
National Council on Folic Acid's
plan, the Alaska Coalition's purpose is to establish broad-based community education
programs targeted at women who may or may not be currently contemplating pregnancy.
What are the goals and objectives of the Alaska Folic Acid Coalition?
The goal of the Alaska Folic Acid Coalition is to reduce the prevalence of neural tube defects by:
- Educating women of childbearing age about the benefits of Folic Acid in reducing the risk of neural tube defects.
- Influencing women of childbearing age to take 400 mcg of Folic Acid on a daily basis.
Who are the partners in the Alaska Folic Acid Coalition?
The coalition is comprised of volunteers from various state agencies, including the
Alaska Birth Defects Registry,
programs administered by the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology,
the Alaska Chapter of March of Dimes,
as well as private non-profit, and native health organizations.
How does the Alaska Folic Acid Coalition Work?
The Coalition members meet regularly to discuss ideas, progress
of the campaign, and to find more effective ways to "spread
the word" about the benefits of Folic Acid.
You can help "spread the word" by displaying
educational materials
from the Alaska Folic Acid Coalition.
What are some challenges facing the Alaska Folic Acid Coalition?
- Reaching rural areas of Alaska
- Securing adequate funding
- Coordinating the time and efforts of volunteers
- Maintaining a sustained effort by coalition members
What are future plans of the Alaska Folic Acid Coalition?
- Utilize recent Alaska Folic Acid survey and
PRAMS
data to further plan and evaluate campaign activities.
- Utilize Alaska Birth Defects Registry data to monitor neural tube defect trends over time.
How can I learn more?
Alaska Birth Defects Registry Manager
Section of Epidemiology
3601 C Street, Suite 934
P.O. Box 240249
Anchorage, AK 99524-0249
Phone: (907) 269-3443
Fax: (907) 269-3493
Sandy Johnson
Alaska Birth Defects Registry Coordinator
Section of Epidemiology
3601 C Street, Suite 934
P.O. Box 240249
Anchorage, AK 99524-0249
Phone: (907) 269-8068
Fax: (907) 269-3493
Email: Sandy_Johnson@health.state.ak.us
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