Prevention

What Prevention Means

Prevention aims to reduce the risk of Spina Bifida, hydrocephalus, and other birth defects before birth, in ways that are equitable, inclusive, and grounded in human rights. The majority of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) can be prevented with evidence-based interventions, including folic acid supplementation, food fortification, and preconception care.

IF promotes a rights-based approach to prevention, working with governments, health professionals, NGOs, communities, and families to:

• Share knowledge on effective, accessible prevention strategies.
• Develop and implement policies and programmes that respect the rights of women
  and families.
• Ensure equitable access to preconception care and essential health services for all
  communities.
• Strengthen global and local collaboration to improve outcomes for children and
  families worldwide.

Global Advocacy Achievement

IF has played a key role in advocating for the World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution ‘Accelerating efforts for preventing micronutrient deficiencies and their consequences, including spina bifida, and other neural tube defects, through safe and
effective food fortification’, which urges countries to strengthen policies on micronutrient fortification to reduce NTDs.This milestone reflects IF’s commitment to influencing global policy and supporting governments, partners, and communities in implementing effective, human rights-based prevention strategies.

The IF Global Prevention Initiative (IFGPI)

The IF Global Prevention Initiative (IFGPI) connects governments, NGOs, health professionals, and communities to maximize the reduction of NTDs and hydrocephalus worldwide.

IFGPI supports members and partners by:

• Strengthening national programs for folic acid awareness, supplementation, and food fortification.
• Sharing guidelines and toolkits for human rights-based prevention strategies.
• Promoting research-informed advocacy and supporting campaigns that reach women of childbearing age.
• Facilitating capacity building and international networking.

Global Partnerships & Regional Programmes

IF works closely with governments, NGOs, universities, and local organisations to implement prevention programs that are evidence-based, sustainable, and contextually relevant.

A flagship example is the Smarter Futures programme (www.smarterfutures.net), where IF served as the project holder to make healthy pregnancies a reality across the African region. This long-term programme focused on:

• Raising awareness of folic acid and micronutrient supplementation among women of childbearing age.
• Strengthening health systems and community engagement to support preconception care.
• Building capacity among local partners to sustain prevention initiatives over time.
• Using a human rights-based approach to ensure equitable access to care and information.

Through programmes like Smarter Futures and other partnerships, IF bridges global advocacy and local action, ensuring that prevention strategies are effective, inclusive, and culturally sensitive.

Resources

IF provides a selection of key resources to support members, partners, and the wider community in prevention efforts. These resources are practical, evidence-based, and ready to use, but represent only a part of the full range of materials available. Contact us in case you are looking for something else.

• IF Information Package on Prevention through Food Fortification
• IF Toolkit Steps for an Advocacy Campaign
• Lancet Publication: Preventing birth defects, saving lives, and promoting health equity
• Smarter Futures 15 Years of Impact
• IF Statement: A Call for a Global Action to Reduce the Prevalence of Neural Tube Defects Worldwide
• WHA67.19 Resolution: Accelerating efforts for preventing micronutrient deficiencies and their consequences, including spina bifida and other neural tube defects, through safe and effective food fortification
• Global SBH Community Committed to Support Who Member States in The Implementation of Safe and Effective Food Fortification (Press release)