Bill Text: NJ AR123 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges DHSS to implement public information campaign about folic acid consumption.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-18 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR123 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR123-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Urges DHSS to implement public information campaign about folic acid consumption.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the Department of Health and Senior Services to implement a public information campaign about folic acid consumption.
Whereas, Folic acid is a B vitamin that can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord called neural tube defects (NTDs); however, folic acid works to prevent these birth defects only if taken before conception and during early pregnancy; and
Whereas, According to the March of Dimes, in the United States, about 3,000 pregnancies are affected by NTDs each year; many additional pregnancies result in miscarriage or stillbirth due to inadequate maternal folic acid levels; and
Whereas, At least half of these cases could be prevented if women consumed an adequate amount of folic acid during the early stages of their pregnancy; and
Whereas, The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, the Spina Bifida Association, and the March of Dimes recommend that women who might become pregnant should consume 400 micrograms of synthetic folic acid every day from a vitamin or from fortified foods, in addition to maintaining a healthy diet rich in natural sources of folate; and
Whereas, While research suggests that consumption of multivitamins containing folic acid may also help prevent cleft palate, congenital heart defects, prematurity, and low birth weight, only one-third of women of childbearing age take a daily multivitamin containing folic acid; and
Whereas, While public awareness is improving, many women are still unaware of the many benefits attributable to regular consumption of folic acid during childbearing years and pregnancy; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the Department of Health and Senior Services to implement a public information campaign about the importance of consuming folic acid during a woman's childbearing years and pregnancy to help prevent neural tube and other birth defects.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the Governor and the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Department of Health and Senior Services to implement a public information campaign about the significant health benefits of consuming adequate amounts of folic acid during a woman's childbearing years and pregnancy.
Folic acid is a naturally occurring B vitamin that helps a baby's neural tube, the part of a developing baby that becomes the brain and spinal cord, develop properly. When consumed before and during the early stages of pregnancy, adequate amounts of folic acid can help prevent birth defects.
Folic acid provides the most benefit in the development of the neural tube if taken before and during the first few weeks of pregnancy, when the neural tube is developing into the brain and spinal cord. According to the March of Dimes, in the United States, about 3,000 pregnancies are affected by neural tube defects (NTDs) each year; if all women consumed adequate amounts of folic acid before conception and during pregnancy, 50 to 70 percent of NTDs could be prevented.
