Global Status of Folic Acid Fortification—Progress and Gaps

摘要: Abstract This chapter reviews the evidence basis for prevention of folic acid-sensitive neural tube defects (NTDs) through public health interventions in women reproductive age (WRA), proven vehicles delivery acid, what is needed to effectively scale these, and a snapshot potential innovations which require future research. The primary focus on global situation affecting large-scale food fortification (LSFF) with particular wheat flour maize meal. overarching conclusion that acid an evidenced-based intervention reduces prevalence NTDs, LSFF underutilized. Thus, should be component most national strategies, where: (1) folate status insufficient; (2) there fortifiable vehicle consumed regularly by WRA processed centralized industry. shows still much work build enabling environment expand programs where currently no legislation; improve low quality existing programs; (3) measure sustain generating new coverage data demonstrating impact low- middle-income countries.