• To increase awareness of the protective effects of folic acid, and increase the intake of folic acid, among Arkansas women capable of becoming pregnant.

• To increase folic acid awareness among health care professionals and promote folic acid awareness as part of standard delivery of health care services to women of reproductive age.

• To increase folic acid awareness among public health policy makers in Arkansas.

• To develop partnerships with community organizations to promote folic acid awareness.

Purpose

The purpose of the Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition is to educate Arkansas women of childbearing age about their need to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily in order to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine.

Members are representatives from the following organizations:

• Arkansas Chapter of the March of Dimes

• Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention

• Arkansas Children's Hospital

• Arkansas Pharmacists Association

• Arkansas Department of Health

• Arkansas Dietetic Association

• Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission

• Spina Bifida Association of Arkansas

• University of Arkansas Medical Sciences

• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service