Maryland's Folic Acid Awareness
In March 2002, the Center for Maternal and Child Health (CMCH) accepted the March of Dimes Folic Acid Leadership Grant Award for $15,000. Under this grant and through collaboration with WIC, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene agreed to provide leadership and administrative support for continued folic acid activity in our State. These funds provided support for the council meetings and folic acid education activities. Another $15,000, from the March of Dimes, supported the Council activities in 2003. These funds ended in December of 2003, however, CMCH is committed to continuing the folic acid message across Maryland.
As part of their efforts to increase the awareness of the need for folic acid for all men and women, display boards have been developed. These display boards include the message of “help to prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord,” as well as, other health benefits, including “may help prevent heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancers.” Five display boards are located regionally throughout the State with WIC Directors. They are being marketed for use by local health department programs to go to various events locations within their jurisdiction. Fact sheets have been created to spread the broader health message of folic acid to accompany the display boards.