Politicians need to help tackle the common misconception that taking folic acid during pregnancy is optional, writes Jackie Bland, chief executive of SHINE.
Spina bifida is the most severe congenital abnormality compatible with life, yet it still affects 1 in 1000 pregnancies in the UK (900 per year).
In response to this SHINE (Spina bifida. Hydrocephlaus. Information. Networking. Equality) launched its own awareness campaign Go Folic! in 2010.
Despite the campaign’s growing success, charity funding alone cannot reach the number of women necessary, nor should it need to.
Much needless suffering and long term costs to families, the NHS and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could be prevented through investing in primary prevention, rather than ‘managing’ the consequences of a lack of education and awareness.
Commenting, Shine CEO, Jackie Bland:
“A small investment could lead to an enormous long-term saving in both the lifetime costs of raising a child with a multifaceted disability, and the psychological trauma of so many avoidable late terminations.”
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via Shine http://shineukcharity.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/a-small-investment-could-lead-2-enormous-long-term-saving-in-costs-of-raising-a-child-with-a-multifaceted-disability/
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