About Us

The North Carolina Folic Acid Council: a nationally recognized, award-winning campaign created to improve infant and maternal health by promoting the benefits and consumption of folic acid.

A statewide program designed to reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborn children, the North Carolina Folic Acid Council (NCFAC) encourages women of childbearing age to take a multivitamin containing 400 mcg of folic acid every day. Through their collaboration and partnership, the March of Dimes and the NCFAC have made significant progress in the campaign to reduce NTDs.

To increase consumption of folic acid, the NCFAC seeks to raise awareness and inspire positive action among the general public, health care professionals and community agencies through a fully integrated educational and media campaign, printed materials and reminder items like nail files.

Some of the Council’s innovative initiatives include:

The Community Ambassador Program: Regional coordinators train women across the state to be community health educators. These women can help increase awareness and influence attitudes regarding folic acid through community venues and personal networks. To reach North Carolina’s growing Latino population, this program is also conducted in Spanish. Click here for more information.
The Office Champion Program: Because 86 percent of women who do not take vitamins say they would do so upon the recommendation of their health care provider, the NCFAC developed a health care provider education initiative that creates a peer point person in physician practices. Click here for more information.
Latino Campaign: Latina women are twice as likely as the general population to have babies born with NTDs. The NCFAC has a staff member dedicated to Latina outreach and has created special programs and advertising in Spanish using culturally relevant messages.
Media and Materials: Using a variety of media, the NCFAC has developed a series of effective campaigns touting the benefits of folic acid to the general public. We offer free educational materials to anyone in North Carolina.

Funding for the NCFAC comes from two external program grants at the March of Dimes:

The VitaGrant – In December 2003, the March of Dimes received a one-time grant of $3 million from the North Carolina Attorney General’s office.
Recurring funding – North Carolina’s legislature provides $300,000 each year.

This web site is designed for informational use only; it is not designed to give advice or cure or treat any medical condition you may have. If you have any questions about your health, please contact your health care provider. If you need immediate medical attention, please call 911.