Michigan families and health professionals are invited to join the National Birth Defects Prevention Network in promoting ways to prevent birth defects during the month of January and throughout the year. The focus in 2008 is on preventing infections that can lead to birth defects or other problems in babies.   

2008 Birth Defects Prevention Materials

• Suggestions for using materials 
• Sample news release
• Michigan Birth Defects Prevention Pamphlet
• National Birth Defects Prevention Pamphlet (English , Spanish )
• 2008 Prevention Month Poster- English (Standard , High Resolution )
• 2008 Prevention Month Poster- Spanish (Standard , High Resolution )
• Resources on the Internet 

• Current and past NBDPN Birth Defects Prevention Month Packets
• Michigan and National Birth Defects Data

Folic Acid Awareness Week: January 7 - 13, 2008

Folic Acid Awareness Week brings attention to the importance of folic acid in preventing certain birth defects.  The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms (400 mcg or 0.4 mg) of folic acid every day to prevent up to 70 percent of neural tube defects.

• Send a folic acid e-postcard 

• National Council on Folic Acid

• Free NTD/folic acid materials from CDC (English and Spanish)

• Folic acid information for patients from March of Dimes

• Congratulations, Mom. You Have a Beautiful Baby, postpartum brochure      (English , Spanish )

• Look and Feel Your Best with Folic Acid pamphlet from Michigan Department of Community Health (order)

• ABCs of Folic Acid Counseling

• Folic Acid in the Prevention of NTDs: Training for Michigan professionals (CNEs available) 

Other Birth Defect and Prevention Resources 

• Preconceptional Health Resource Page 

• Birth Defects & Genetic Conditions: Resources for Michigan Families and Professionals (Online Resource Kit)