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 2009 is on Obesity Prevention and Weight Management – Before, During, and After Pregnancy

2009 Birth Defects Prevention Materials

• Birth Defects Prevention Pamphlet (English , Spanish )

• Birth Defects Prevention Month Poster - English (Standard , High Resolution )

• Birth Defects Prevention Month Poster - Spanish (Standard , High Resolution)

• NBDPN Fact Sheet 

• Packet Use Ideas

• Proclamation

• Sample News Release

• Sample Letter to Healthcare Providers

• Highlighted Resources

• Resources on the Internet

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

Folic Acid Awareness Week:  January 5-11, 2009

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.

• Partner release

• Alternate partner release

• How to pitch

• CDC materials guide

• Sample article

• Letter to the editor

• Communications and Marketing Plan Template

• Hispanic Communications and Marketing Plan

• 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

Other Birth Defect and Prevention Resources 

• Preconceptional Health Resource Page 

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