Evidence-Based Resource Summary

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends community-wide education campaigns to promote the use of folic acid supplements among women of childbearing age. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can reduce the risk of a pregnancy affected by neural tube birth defects. Community-wide campaigns to promote the use of folic acid supplements are designed to disseminate information to women of childbearing age or intending to become pregnant regarding the use of supplements containing folic acid. These campaigns involve the dissemination of coordinated educational and motivational messages and materials within the community. Educational content can be delivered through: mass media messages and articles; community activities and promotions; and distribution of small media (posters, flyers, brochures, etc.). The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of folic acid each day in order to reduce the risk of a pregnancy affected by a neural tube birth defect. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women of childbearing age take a daily supplement containing 400–800 micrograms (0.4–0.8 milligrams) of folic acid.