Dear Parents,
Northern Arizona University is partnering with the Coconino County Health Department (CCHD) to distribute the B-vitamin, folic acid, free to NAU women of childbearing age. Recently, CCHD received a grant from the March of Dimes to provide NAU women, upon request, with a year’s supply of folic acid in a basic multiple vitamin.
Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily before a woman becomes pregnant can reduce the chances of major birth defects of the baby’s brain or spine by 50% to 70%. Folic acid may also help prevent other birth defects like cleft lip and cleft palate and some heart defects. There are other benefits for the woman, too. Folic acid is also important for the normal production of red and white blood cells, and plays a role in the prevention of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, and breast cancer.
NAU women can request a free folic acid supply at one of the following three locations in the Fronske Health Center:
- The Fronske Pharmacy
- The Nursing Station
- Their Fronske health care provider during an appointment.
To qualify, the woman must be of childbearing age, over 17 years old, and not pregnant. Distribution of folic acid should begin the first week of March at Fronske.
Folic acid workshops will be held in April at selected campus locations. The folic acid supply will be given out at workshops as well. To learn more about the workshops, contact the CCHD Maternal & Child Health Program at 928-522-7150.
Two suggested web sites for more information about folic acid are:
We're working to make our students and the next generation of NAU students healthy.
Thank you,
