PAMPANGA - Once again, the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health (VYLH)-Philippines, together with more than 40 organizations who accepted the challenge to become partners in the campaign, utilized its youth force last July 18, 2020 in the promotion of the significance of folic acid supplementation to the health of everyone, especially those who are planning to conceive.
The National Social media Day for Folic acid Awareness, also known as #FolicacidPH, was conceptualized by VYLH-Philippines Pioneer and Former National President Ryan John Pascual in 2016. Since then, the event is annually held in conjunction with the observance of the Nutrition Month and National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. This year, the non-profit health promotion activity was coordinated by VYLH-Philippines North and Central Luzon Cluster.
Our future generation deserves the best start in life. An insufficient amount of folic acid in the body of a woman before and during each pregnancy can mean the difference between a normal life for the baby and a life challenged by congenital anomalies or one cut short by untimely death. Thus, taking folic acid supplements can be the first best gift we can give to our future kids.
On its 5th year, the theme of the social media campaign, “Folic acid supplementation: Key to better health of our future generation” emphasizes the importance of taking folic acid before and during each pregnancy, as well as its role in ensuring the health of our next generation. Knowing this, the vitamin can contribute largely to the quality of their lives and their future contributions to the society at large.
Folic acid is a key component in preventing some major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine, collectively known as neural tube defects (NTD). Studies shows that the intake of folic acid through supplementation and food fortification can significantly reduce the risk of NTDs. In case of supplementation, proper dosage and intake schedule can lessen the risk of NTDs by up to 70% [1].
Folic acid is very important for the health of babies during conception. However, this doesn’t mean that only pregnant women and those that are in the reproductive age need folic acid. Everyone needs folic acid. Folic acid, also known as Vitamin B9 or folate, is used by our bodies to make new cells. Since it is water-soluble, it is excreted regularly from the body and it should be replenished everyday.
According to the 7th National Nutrition Survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-DOST, 1 in every 5 Pinays of childbearing age is folate deficient [2]. This may be associated to the low awareness on the significance of Vitamin B9 among Filipino women belonging in the reproductive age and the absence of a legislation on Folic acid fortification, supplementation and public education. With these in mind, VYLH-Philippines conducts awareness campaigns such as #folicacidPH and engages its campaign partners to reach more people and inform them of the impact of folic acid for them as an individual, their families and for the whole community.
#folicacidPH 2020
Modifications were made for this year’s campaign were made to adapt to the present situation brought about by restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This health crisis posed a great challenge to the campaign but the members of VYLH-Philippines made sure that, despite the hurdles they faced, the goal of increasing public awareness about the importance of Folic acid supplementation was met.
Because everyone’s safety is of highest priority, “on-the-ground” and group activities, that were conducted during the previous years by the members of VYLH-Philippines and its partners, were discouraged. Hence, #folicacidPH 2020 was composed purely of online activities.
The campaign focused on sharing posts about folic acid and its benefits to everyone’s health. The official profile photo frame and profile banner for #folicacidPH 2020 were also launched during the campaign’s kickoff at the start of the month of July. Partner organizations were also encouraged to craft their own infographics and conduct online discussions about the campaign.
A statement chain was shared through social media where advocates stated the reason why they support #folicacidPH and a bingo card with pictures of different foods tickled the minds of the advocates as they identify which of those are good sources of folate.
To take advantage of the popularity of TikTok among the youth, VYLH-Philippines also launched #FASayaw, a dance challenge for Folic acid awareness. #folicacidPH also took the Twitter-verse by storm as facts about Folic acid were tweeted and retweeted by the advocates during the Tweet Barrage. Another Tiktok challenge that was done by VYLH-Philippines volunteers for the 11th Founding Anniversary of the network and national social media day was the "e-numan" challenge wherein volunteers took the vitamin in the tune of Oops by Little Mix.
To cap off the campaign, over 300 advocates attended the Folic acid Webinar hosted by the VYLH-Philippines conducted on July 19, 2020 (6:00 P.M. Manila Time) via WebinarJam. The webinar featured three lectures. Ms. Jeanne Ruth Basas, RND, Nutritionist-Dietitian of the UP NIH-Institute of Human Genetics, discussed about folic acid in the diet. Dr. Mary Ann Abacan, Geneticist-Metabolic Specialist in UP-Philippine General Hospital and VYLH-Philippines NCR-South Luzon Cluster Adviser, gave updates about folic acid while UP Manila Chancellor and VYLH-Philippines Founding Adviser Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla explained the importance of having a comprehensive legislation for folic acid fortification and supplementation. The presentations were followed by an open forum facilitated by the webinar moderator, VYLH-Philippines National President Rufus Thomas Adducul.#
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[1] Blencowe et al.2010
[2] DOST CALABARZON
Words by Nikki Dela Cruz, RN (Kabilin, Pampanga)
Edited by RPascual/Trisha Guioguio
