Dear Future Me… thanks for taking folic acid before and during pregnancy...you're da bomb.com!
This years Folic Acid Awareness Week (FAAW), we invite you to connect with NBDPN to celebrate the successes of folic acid in preventing serious birth defects of the spine and brain.
These birth defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly, are types of neural tube defects (NTD) that develop very early in pregnancy, before most people even know they are pregnant. Folic acid is a B-vitamin that is necessary for proper cell growth. If taken, either as a supplement or in fortified food, before and during early pregnancy, folic acid can prevent up to 70% of these serious birth defects. People considering pregnancy should take at least 400mcg of folic acid every day.
We invite you to partner with NBDPN during Folic Acid Awareness Week (FAAW) and help spread awareness about the importance of folic acid in helping reduce the risk of certain birth defects. Be sure to like, share, and interact with our posts throughout the week - you'll be all that and a bag of chips!
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Folic Acid Awareness Week social media captions
General posts about folic acid
X and Instagram (under 280 characters)
| English (Inglés) | Spanish (Español) |
| It’s Folic Acid Awareness Week. Tune in this week to learn more about folic acid and how it can help prevent serious defects of the brain and spine! #DearFutureMe (character count: 168) | Esta semana es la Semana de Concienciación sobre el Ácido Fólico. Infórmese sobre cómo el ácido fólico puede ayudar a prevenir defectos graves del cerebro y la columna vertebral. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 204) |
| Did you know that neural tube defects, birth defects of the spine and brain, form early during pregnancy, often before a woman knows she's pregnant? That's why you should get 400mcg of folic acid every day if there is a chance you could become pregnant. #DearFutureMe (character count: 276) | ¿Sabías que los defectos del tubo neural, defectos de nacimiento de la columna y el cerebro, se forman en las primeras etapas del embarazo, a veces antes de saber que estas embarazada? Por eso es importante tomar 400 mcg de ácido fólico todos los días si hay una posibilidad de quedar embarazada. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 321) |
| Some women only start taking a multivitamin when they get pregnant, but it’s important to also take a daily vitamin with 400mcg of folic acid BEFORE pregnancy to help prevent serious birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. #DearFutureMe (character count: 252) | Algunas personas solo comienzan a tomar un multivitamínico cuando quedan embarazadas, pero es importante también tomar una vitamina diaria con 400 mcg de ácido fólico ANTES del embarazo para ayudar a prevenir defectos de nacimiento graves como la espina bífida y la anencefalia. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 303) |
| Folic acid has been proven to help prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), serious defects of the brain and spine! This is why women who can becoming pregnant should get 400mcg of folic acid daily to reduce their NTD risk. #DearFutureMe (character count: 238) | El ácido fólico ayuda a prevenir y reducir el riesgo de defectos graves del cerebro y la columna vertebral. ¡Por eso, se recomienda que las mujeres que pueden quedar embarazadas tomen 400 mcg de ácido fólico diariamente! #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 245) |
Facebook and LinkedIn
| English (Inglés) | Spanish (Español) |
| Did you know that about 2,300 pregnancies are affected by a defect of the spine (spina bifida) or brain (anencephaly) every year in the US? These conditions are also known as neural tube defects or NTDs. Up to 70% of NTDs can be prevented if women who can become pregnant take daily folic acid BEFORE becoming pregnant and during early pregnancy. #DearFutureMe (character count: 366) | ¿Sabías que cada año aproximadamente 2,300 embarazos en EE.UU.se ven afectados por un defecto de la columna (espina bífida) o del cerebro (anencefalia)? Estas condiciones también se conocen como defectos del tubo neural. Hasta el 70% de los defectos se pueden prevenir si se toma ácido fólico diariamente ANTES de quedar embarazada y durante el inicio del embarazo. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 390) |
| Many states monitor how many babies are born with neural tube defects (NTDs) like anencephaly and spina bifida. Data from state programs show there were about 7 babies born with an NTD for every 10,000 live births. Folic acid helps prevent many NTDs! Take your 400mcg of folic acid every day. #DearFutureMe (character count: 313) | Muchos estados monitorean cuántos bebés nacen con defectos del tubo neural como la anencefalia y la espina bífida. Se estima que aproximadamente 7 de cada 10,000 nacimientos tienen un defecto del tubo neural. ¡El ácido fólico ayuda a prevenir muchas de estas condiciones! Toma 400 mcg de ácido fólico todos los días. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 341) |
| Did you know that folic acid is the only form of folate known to help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine? You can take a vitamin with folic acid and eat fortified foods to ensure you are getting your daily folic acid. Foods fortified with folic acid include some flours, breads, pastas, rice, and breakfast cereals. These products are labeled as “enriched.” It is also important to eat folate-rich foods as part of a balanced diet. #DearFutureMe (character count: 471) | ¿Sabías que el ácido fólico es la única forma de folato comprobada para ayudar a prevenir defectos graves del cerebro y la columna vertebral? Toma una vitamina con ácido fólico y come alimentos enriquecidos como panes, cereales, arroz, y pasta para asegurar que estás obteniendo tu ácido fólico diario. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 328) |
| Timing is important! Neural tube defects (NTDs) form very early in pregnancy, before most women even know they are pregnant. Women of childbearing age should get 400mcg of folic acid daily to ensure they have enough in their system to reduce the risk of an NTD should they become pregnant. #DearFutureMe (character count: 310) | ¡El momento importa! Los defectos graves del cerebro y la columna se forman muy temprano en el embarazo, antes de saber que estas embarazada. Por eso, se recomienda tomar 400 mcg de ácido fólico diariamente para asegurarse de tener suficiente en su sistema y reducir el riesgo de estas condiciones si quedan embarazadas. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 345) |
| Did you know that you would have to eat around 4 cups of broccoli a day to get enough folic acid? Even if you follow a healthy diet, it’s hard to get enough—so take a daily vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid! Most multivitamins and other folic acid supplements contain at least 400 mcg per tablet. #DearFutureMe (character count: 372) | ¿Sabías que tendrías que comer alrededor de 4 tazas de brócoli al día para obtener suficiente ácido fólico? Incluso si llevas una dieta saludable, es difícil obtener suficiente, ¡así que toma una vitamina diaria con 400 mcg de ácido fólico! La mayoría de los multivitamínicos y otros suplementos de ácido fólico tienen al menos 400 mcg por tableta. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 373) |
Posts for people not planning a pregnancy
X and Instagram (under 280 characters)
| English (Inglés) | Spanish (Español) |
| Folic acid is a B vitamin that is important in making new cells, and folic acid has been proven to help prevent neural tube defects, serious defects of the brain and spine. Take a daily vitamin with 400mcg of folic acid! #DearFutureMe (character count: 240) | El ácido fólico es una vitamina B que es importante para la creación de nuevas células, además, se ha demostrado que el ácido fólico ayuda a prevenir defectos graves del cerebro y la columna vertebral. ¡Toma una vitamina diaria con 400 mcg de ácido fólico! #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 281) |
| So, you have your vitamins with folic acid, but just can't seem to remember to take them daily? Use a pillbox, set doses where you see them (at work/school, on nightstand), take it when you brush your teeth, set a daily alarm, or use an app! You can do it! #DearFutureMe (character count: 276) | ¿Tienes tus vitaminas con ácido fólico pero olvidas tomarlas a diario? Usa un pastillero, colócalas donde las veas (como en el trabajo/escuela, en la mesita de noche), pon una alarma diaria o usa una aplicación. ¡Tú puedes hacerlo! #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 256) |
| Multivitamins too pricey? Try store brands or a folic acid-only supplement. Or check with your state health department to see if there are free/discounted vitamin programs in your area! #DearFutureMe (character count: 205) | ¿Las multivitaminas son muy caras? Prueba marcas de la tienda o un suplemento solo de ácido fólico. Consulta con el departamento de salud de tu estado para ver si hay programas de vitaminas gratuitos o con descuento en tu área. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 252) |
| Need a little more self-care? Start by taking a multivitamin that has folic acid in it every day! #DearFutureMe (character count: 117) | ¿Quieres cuidarte un poco más? ¡Comienza con una multivitamina que contenga ácido fólico todos los días! Es un pequeño paso que hace una gran diferencia. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 178) |
| You are worth taking care of! Improve your self-care routine with a multivitamin that includes folic acid. #DearFutureMe (character count: 126) | ¡Tu bienestar importa! Mejora tu rutina de autocuidado con una multivitamina que incluya ácido fólico. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 127) |
Facebook and LinkedIn
| English (Inglés) | Spanish (Español) |
| Some pharmacies have free vitamin programs to ensure people who can become pregnant can get their daily folic acid to help prevent birth defects in a future pregnancy. Find a pharmacy that participates in a vitamin program at https://www.mygnp.com/pharmacies/programs/healthy-kids-free-vitamins/ #DearFutureMe (character count: 315) | Algunas farmacias tienen programas de vitaminas gratuitos para quienes pueden quedar embarazadas. Esto ayuda a que obtengan su ácido fólico diario y ayuda a prevenir defectos de nacimiento en un futuro embarazo. Encuentra una farmacia participante: https://www.mygnp.com/pharmacies/programs/healthy-kids-free-vitamins/ #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 343) |
| Worried about taking folic acid? Many studies have found folic acid to be safe and effective at recommended amounts. Even if you have an MTHFR variant, you can process all types of folate, including folic acid. Check out @CDC for the latest information on folic acid and MTHFR variants at https://www.cdc.gov/folic-acid/data-research/mthfr/ #DearFutureMe (character count: 360) | ¿Te preocupa tomar ácido fólico? Muchos estudios muestran que el ácido fólico es seguro y efectivo en las cantidades recomendadas. Incluso si tienes la variante MTHFR, puedes procesar todos los tipos de folato, incluido el ácido fólico. Consulta @CDC para obtener la información más reciente sobre el ácido fólico y las variantes MTHFR en https://www.cdc.gov/folic-acid/data-research/mthfr/ #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 415) |
| Many states monitor how many babies are born with neural tube defects (NTDs) like anencephaly and spina bifida. Daily folic acid helps prevent these birth defects! People who may become pregnant should take 400mcgs of folic acid every day (even if you're not planning a pregnancy)! #DearFutureMe (character count: 301) | Muchos estados monitorean cuántos bebés nacen con defectos graves como la anencefalia y la espina bífida. El ácido fólico diario puede ayudar a prevenirlos. Las personas que pueden quedar embarazadas deben tomar 400 mcg de ácido fólico todos los días (¡incluso si no estás planeando un embarazo)! #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 321) |
Posts for people planning a pregnancy
X and Instagram (under 280 characters)
| English (Inglés) | Spanish (Español) |
| Did you know that NTDs, birth defects of the spine and brain, form before a woman even knows she's pregnant? That's why people who can become pregnant should get 400mcg of folic acid every day. #DearFutureMe (character count: 212) | ¿Sabías que los defectos de nacimiento de la columna y el cerebro, se forman antes de que una persona sepa que está embarazada? Por eso, las personas que pueden quedar embarazadas deben obtener 400 mcg de ácido fólico todos los días. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 258) |
| Some women only start taking a multivitamin when they get pregnant, but it is important to also take a daily vitamin with 400mcg of folic acid BEFORE pregnancy to prevent serious birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. #DearFutureMe (character count: 248) | Algunas personas solo comienzan a tomar una vitamina cuando quedan embarazadas, pero es importante también tomar una vitamina diaria con 400 mcg de ácido fólico ANTES del embarazo para prevenir defectos de nacimiento graves como la espina bífida y la anencefalia. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 288) |
| Worried about taking folic acid? Even if you have an MTHFR variant, you can process all types of folate, including folic acid. Check out @CDC for the latest information on folic acid and MTHFR variants at https://www.cdc.gov/folic-acid/data-research/mthfr/ #DearFutureMe (character count: 276) | ¿Te preocupa tomar ácido fólico? Aunque tengas una variante MTHFR, tu cuerpo puede procesar todos los tipos de folato, incluido el ácido fólico. Consulta @CDC para obtener la información más reciente sobre el ácido fólico y las variantes MTHFR en https://www.cdc.gov/folic-acid/data-research/mthfr/ #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 323) |
| Planning to get pregnant soon? Start a healthy habit today and get 400mcg of folic acid every day. #DearFutureMe (character count: 118) | ¿Planeas quedar embarazada? Comienza hoy con un hábito saludable: toma 400 mcg de ácido fólico cada día. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 129) |
Facebook and LinkedIn
| English (Inglés) | Spanish (Español) |
| Timing is important! Neural tube defects (NTD) form very early in pregnancy, before most women even recognize they are pregnant. Women who can become pregnant should take 400mcg of folic acid daily to ensure they have enough in their system to reduce the risk of an NTD should they become pregnant. #DearFutureMe (character count: 318) | ¡El momento es importante! Los defectos graves del cerebro y la columna se forman muy temprano en el embarazo, antes de que la mayoría de las personas sepan que están embarazadas. Por eso es importante tomar 400 mcg de ácido fólico diariamente si existe la posibilidad de embarazo. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 306) |
Posts for health care providers
X and Instagram (under 280 characters)
| English (Inglés) | Spanish (Español) |
| Health care providers, what you say matters! Remember to advise patients who can become pregnant to take a vitamin with 400mcg of folic acid daily to help prevent serious birth defects of the spine and brain. #DearFutureMe (character count: 228) | Profesionales de la salud: ¡lo que dicen importa! Aconsejen a sus pacientes con posibilidad de embarazo que tomen una vitamina con 400 mcg de ácido fólico diariamente para ayudar a prevenir defectos de nacimiento graves de la columna y el cerebro. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 272) |
Facebook and LinkedIn
| English (Inglés) | Spanish (Español) |
| Timing is important! Neural tube defects (NTD) form very early in pregnancy, before most people even realize they are pregnant. Recommend 400mcg of folic acid daily to your patients who are capable of becoming pregnant can help reduce the risk of an NTD should they become pregnant. #DearFutureMe (character count: 302) | ¡El momento es importante! Los defectos del tubo neural se forman muy temprano en el embarazo, antes de que la mayoría de las personas se den cuenta de que están embarazadas. Recomiende 400 mcg de ácido fólico diariamente a pacientes que pueden quedar embarazados para ayudar a prevenir estas condiciones. #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 330) |
| Folic acid has been proven to prevent neural tube defects, serious defects of the brain and spine. Educate your patients on the benefits of consuming 400 mcg of folic acid daily. Help them find it on their vitamin labels for healthier pregnancies. Take action and share the facts today! #DearFutureMe (character count: 306) | Se ha demostrado que el ácido fólico previene los defectos graves del cerebro y la columna vertebral. Educa a tus pacientes sobre los beneficios de consumir 400 mcg de ácido fólico diariamente. Ayúdalos a encontrarlo en las etiquetas de sus vitaminas para tener embarazos más saludables. ¡Toma acción y comparte los hechos hoy! #QueridaYoDelFuturo (número de caracteres: 352) |
Infographic WITH NBDPN branding/ logos
Infographic WITHOUT NBDPN branding/ logos
OTHER RESOURCES
March of Dimes
- Before or Between Pregnancies: Folic Acid
- PeriStats Maternal and Infant Health-related Data
- Folic Acid: self-reported multivitamin use in the month before pregnancy
- Birth Defects: prevalence of Spina Bfida or Anencephaly
Unique Tools and Resources from State Programs
Power Me A2Z - Arizona Department of Health Services
Website for women, couples and families, including a program for free vitamins for Arizona women
Food Folate Food Game - Florida Folic Acid Coalition
Plan meals with foods high in folate below and supplement with 400mcg of folic acid!
Folic Acid: Your Vitamin For Life - Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition website
Folic Acid Take it for Your Health - Michigan Department of Community Health
Brochures featuring women from diverse communities available in English, Arabic, and Spanish
Recent Publications
Folic Acid and the Prevention of Birth Defects: 30 Years of Opportunity and Controversies
Crider KS, Qi YP, Yeung LF, et al. Folic Acid and the Prevention of Birth Defects: 30 Years of Opportunity and Controversies. Annu Rev Nutr. 2022;42:423-452. doi:10.1146/annurev-nutr-043020-091647
Changes in Spina Bifida Lesion Level After Folic Acid Fortification in the US
Mai CT, Evans J, Alverson CJ, et al. Changes in Spina Bifida Lesion Level After Folic Acid Fortification in the US [published online ahead of print, 2022 Jun 27]. J Pediatr. 2022;S0022-3476(22)00597-2. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.06.023
Trends in Multivitamin Use Among Women of Reproductive Age: United States, 2006-2016
Wong EC, Rose CE, Flores AL, Yeung LF. Trends in Multivitamin Use Among Women of Reproductive Age: United States, 2006-2016. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2019;28(1):37-45. doi:10.1089/jwh.2018.7075
Page Citations
- Folic Acid Supplementation to Prevent Neural Tube Defects
Viswanathan M, Urrutia RP, Hudson KN, et al. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2023 Aug. (Evidence Synthesis, No. 230.) Chapter 1, Introduction.
- Get Enough Folic Acid
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2024 Jun. Overview.
- National population-based estimates for major birth defects, 2016-2020
Stallings, E. B., Isenburg, J. L., Rutkowski, R. E., Kirby, R. S., Nembhard, W.N., Sandidge, T., Villavicencio, S., Nguyen, H. H., McMahon, D. M., Nestoridi, E., Pabst, L. J. Birth Defects Research. 2024 Jan;116(1), e2301. doi: 10.1002/bdr2.2301. PMID: 38277408; PMCID: PMC10898112.
Social Media Messaging
We have created content you can use to help spread the word about folic acid during Folic Acid Awareness Week (FAAW) or any time throughout the year!
Below are images with and without the NBDPN logo, so states and partners can use the images while staying within their communication policies. The version without NBDPN’s logo is available in both English and Spanish.
Social Media Images WITH NBDPN branding/logos
Please use these images created by NBDPN to create your own folic acid posts.