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The International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF) together with partners from international organisations, medical and academic institutes are leading a campaign for a global action on preventable birth defects. Food fortification with folic acid is urgently needed to achieve the objectives of the 2010 World Health Assembly Resolution on Birth Defects and achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs). 

Recognizing the 63rd World Health Assembly’s Resolution on Birth Defects that appealed to member states to prioritize prevention of birth defects, we are concerned by the high number of pregnancies affected by folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly globally. The International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus together with GAPSBiF and G4Alliance work together to promote WHA Resolution for Folic Acid Fortification for Spina Bifida.

The IF President, Cato Lie, opened the event with a word of welcome and pointed out the importance of folic acid for healthy pregnancies and in the prevention of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs), in particular Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH).

IF organizes its yearly awareness week for primary prevention of NTDs during the World Folic Acid Awareness Week from January 3 to 9, 2022.

Join IF on Monday 3rd of January 2022 to kick off the annual World Folic Acid Awareness Week (WFAAW). This year WFAAW22 will take place from January 3rd to 9th. You are invited for the main webinar event including speakers from all over the world as well as sharing the social media WFAAW toolkit.

From 14 to 17 September 2021 the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF) held a conference on multidisciplinary care.  Multidisciplinary care (MDC) for persons with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH) is essential in order to achieve ‘the highest possible standard of health’ (article 25 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) for the global SBH community.