Between 70 and 80 percent of birth defects may be prevented if women get enough folic acid in their diet early in pregnancy, said Melvin Baron, assistant dean for programmatic advancement in the School of Pharmacy. Folic acid also appears to play a role in cardiovascular health and cancer prevention. Through the grant, pharmacy and medical students and faculty members will work with 25 teachers from those schools. They will put on curriculum development workshops to increase knowledge about folic acid. Without getting into issues of birth control or sexual behavior, the USC instructors will discuss the importance of nutrition.
Folic acid is relatively inexpensive and often is included in multivitamin supplements.
Birth defects usually occur within the first 28 days of a woman's pregnancy, but most women do not see a doctor until after that time period. So, by the time they usually start taking folic acid for pregnancy, it is too late to reap the beneficial effects of the vitamin on the fetus. And considering that one half of all pregnancies are unplanned, Baron says, taking folic acid regularly is a good idea. The vitamin also is important for overall wellness. That may contribute to or promote cancer.