We're trying to cover as many areas as we can with this grant. The health department has always provided information on the importance of folic acid, a B vitamin, and nutrition to the population that it serves in the district, which includes Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean counties. But the grant allows it to expand its services to the general population, said Lamone Mayfield, executive director of the health department. Taking folic acid during the first month of pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects, a severe birth defect that varies in severity from paralysis to loss of bladder and bowel control. Since the defect occurs in the first month of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant, health officials recommend that all women of child-bearing age take folic acid.
Folic acid is found in peanut butter, leafy green vegetables and oranges.
Part of the grant is going toward handing out information on the importance of nutrition and folic acid to doctors' offices, libraries, clinics and at health fairs. Part will go toward bringing Dr. Joseph Mulinare from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to Owensboro on May 18 to discuss the importance of folic acid with health professionals. For more information or to request information on folic acid, contact the Green River District Health Department at 686-7747.