Sba Letterhead Template printable pdf download

Dear Public Service Director:

Of the four million women who give birth in the US each year, more than 2,600 babies are born

with neural tube defects, which are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. These defects

happen in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant.

The Grain Foods Foundation conducted a recent online survey by Nielsen in October 2014 among

2,066 US adults (age 18 years+) to gauge Americans’ knowledge of folic acid’s impact on birth

outcomes and found that Americans are generally unaware of the impact diet, specifically enriched

grains, has on pregnancy and infant health.

Folic acid consumption is critical for the prevention of neural tube birth defects and has been

proven to help a baby’s brain and spinal cord development, but only if taken before and during the

first few weeks of pregnancy. Doctors strongly recommend that women of childbearing age

consume foods such as white bread, tortillas, cereal and pasta made from fortified, enriched white

flour. Enriched grain products contain two times as much folic acid as their whole grain

counterparts (whole grain products, with the exception of some breakfast cereals, are not fortified

with folic acid).

The Grain Foods Foundation, with the support of the Spina Bifida Association, is dedicated to

advancing the public's understanding of the important role grain-based foods play in a healthful

diet. The Spina Bifida Association has been the only national voluntary health agency solely

dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with Spina Bifida and those whose lives are touched by

this challenging birth defect. The Grain Foods Foundation also supports the work of the Spina

Bifida Association to help over 65 million women to have stronger, healthier babies by preventing

birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. For more information, please visit

and

We know that food choices are extremely important before a woman becomes pregnant and during

pregnancy to ensure a healthy outcome. In order to help spread this important message, we ask

that your station please air the public service announcement (PSA) titled “Folic Acid for Healthy

Babies” (:60, :30, :15), as soon and as often possible.

This PSA encourages women of

childbearing age to incorporate folic-acid-fortified grain foods into their diets. January is

National Birth Defects Prevention Month and January 5 - 11 is Folic Acid Awareness Week.

Although very timely for these dates, this PSA has no end date for use.

For any questions or additional information regarding this PSA, please contact our distribution

representative Katarina Sunthorn of Connect360 Multimedia (e-mail: ksunthorn@c360m.com;

phone: 212-624-9188).

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this life-saving public service message.

Sara Struwe

President & CEO

Sba Letterhead Template