#FolicacidPH
Main Objective of #FolicacidPH
To increase public awareness on folic acid and its important role in the prevention of neural tube defects and mobilize youth partners through a social media campaign.
Rationale of #FolicAcidPH
There is a need to increase the awareness of the Filipino public in the importance of folic acid in the prevention of birth defects, specifically neural tube defects.
There is a need to promote consumer awareness and interest on checking the nutrition labels of food products and supplements, in general.
Disability prevention begins prior to conception. Aside from preventing disability, infant deaths due to severe NTDs such as anencephaly (incomplete development of the brain) and craniorachischisis (most severe NTD, incomplete development and closure of the brain and spinal cord) are also averted.
The tagline “For yourself. For your future” highlights the importance of folic acid to everyone’s health, as well as its value in giving each child the best start in life.
Everyone needs folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin, specifically Vitamin B9. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Folic acid is also very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby's brain and spinal cord, also known as neural tube defects. Neural tube defects (NTDs) may result to infant death, dysmorphology (deformity) or disability. In some kinds of NTDs, corrective surgical procedures are needed in order to improve the quality of life of patients.
Studies have shown that the intake of folic acid or vitamin B9 through supplementation and food fortification can significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). In case of supplementation, proper dosage and intake schedule can lessen the risk of NTDs by up to 70%.
Moreover, a daily intake of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid is recommended since folic acid is a water soluble vitamin. Regular consumption will ensure that its amount in the body will be replenished. On the other hand, for folic acid to help in preventing NTDs, a woman needs to start taking the vitamin at least one month before she becomes pregnant and while she is pregnant. Every woman in the reproductive age needs folic acid every day, whether she’s planning to get pregnant or not.
In the Philippines, awareness on the significance of folic acid supplementation among Filipino women in reproductive age is presumed to be low. Furthermore, folate deficiency has been determined to exist. According to the 7th National Nutrition Survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-DOST, 1 in every 5 pinays of childbearing age is folate deficient. Hence, there is a need for increasing public awareness on this matter, especially in the absence of a legislation for folic acid fortification, supplementation and public education.
Why July 18?
Aside from July being the Nutrition Month and the third week of July annually observed as National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, VYLH-Philippines has found it fitting to conduct a day for the promoting public awareness of disability prevention through an important vitamin - folic acid.
July 18 is also special to Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health (VYLH) - Philippines since it is the network’s founding anniversary.
It was on the night of July 18, 2009 when 78 volunteer youth leaders representing 43 youth organizations accepted the challenge of promoting folic acid awareness as one of the flagship health advocacies of the network.
VYLH-Philippines is a national collaboration of youth leaders of youth organizations in universities and communities in the Philippines linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service to improve birth outcomes through advocacy.
What is an NTD or Neural Tube Defect?
Neural tube defects comprise a group of birth defects (congenital anomalies) that result from problems in the development of the baby's brain and spinal cord.
The following are some examples of NTDs
Campaign Themes
2016Folic acid: For yourself. For your future.
2017 Folic acid: A vitamin for life
2018 Spina bifida at neural tube defects ay maiiwasan, pag-inom ng folic acid ay kailangan
2019 Folic acid: Bitaminang kalakip sa malusog, handa at planadong pagbubuntis
2020Folic acid Supplementation: Key to Better Health of our Future Generation
2021Start Right with B9: Fostering good nutrition through folic acid supplementation in the first 1000 days
2021 | Start Right with B9: Fostering good nutrition through folic acid supplementation in the first 1000 days
Our future generation deserves the best start in life. An insufficient amount of folic acid in the body of a woman before and during each pregnancy can mean the difference between a normal life for the baby and a life challenged by congenital anomalies or one cut short by untimely death. Taking folic acid supplements may be the first best gift we can give to our future kids.
This year’s theme “Folic acid supplementation: Key to better health of our future generation” emphasizes the importance of taking folic acid before and during each pregnancy, as well as its role in ensuring the health of our next generation. Knowing this, the vitamin can contribute largely to the quality of their lives and their future contributions to the society at large.
Suggested Activities
Conducting a discussion on the importance of folic acid among organization members
• Requesting organization members to like the Official Campaign Facebook page (fb.com/folicacidph)• Posting suggested status messages in Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #FolicAcidPH• Sharing campaign infographics • Creating and taking selfies with advocacy fansigns• Participating in the FolicacidPH Webinar
Due to the current pandemic, this year's observance of #FolicacidPH is limited to social media and online engagements. We look forward to the time that we will be able to conduct "on-the-ground" activities again for the promotion of our advocacy.
Institutional Partner
Contact Us
Should you have any comment, suggestion or clarification, please don't hesitate to contact us through our
Facebook page (fb.com/folicacidph)Twitter account (@folicacidph) orEmail (folicacidph@gmail.com)
Suggested Tweets and Status Messages
Everyone can make their #FolicAcidPH tweet and status update. Just don't forget to add our campaign hashtag "#FolicAcidPH" and "#B9before9". Below are some of the campaign's suggested messages. Feel free to copy and paste in Twitter and Facebook.
Folate and folic acid refer to the same vitamin (B9) which is important for good health and in preventing neural tube defects #FolicAcidPH
Folate (Vitamin B9) is a water soluble vitamin.It is excreted regularly from the body.Hence, we need to replenish it regularly #FolicAcidPH
Did you know? EVERYONE needs folic acid for good health, most importantly women in the reproductive age #FolicAcidPH
Did you know? There are three sources of folate in the diet: natural food folates, fortified foods and folic acid supplements #FolicAcidPH
Did you know? The Philippines is one of the 85 countries mandating wheat flour fortification, however our law does not include folic acid #FolicAcidPH
From the countries mandating flour fortification,the Philippines is one of 5 countries which do not fortify flour w/ folic acid #FolicAcidPH
Did you know? Folic acid supplementation can reduce the risk of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) significantly. #FolicAcidPH
Neural tube defects are problems in the development of the baby's brain and spine which can lead to death and disability #FolicAcidPH
DYK? The intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid daily can prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects by up to 70% #FolicAcidPH
Prevention is better than cure. Consult your doctor before having a pregnancy. Ask more information about folic acid #FolicAcidPH
References
US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2014. Facts about Folic Acid. [LINK] Department of Science and Technology CALABARZON. Child-bearing age Pinays at-risk for folate deficiency. [LINK]Department of Science and Technology CALABARZON. 1in 5 Pinays is Folate Deficient. [LINK]
Campaign Materials
