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Happy National Birth Defects Prevention Month! As we kick off the new year on January 1, let's take a moment to raise awareness about this important cause. This month-long observance was established in 2003 by the National Birth Defects Prevention Network with the goal of promoting education and prevention strategies to reduce the number of birth defects worldwide. It's a time to honor and support families affected by birth defects, as well as spread knowledge and resources for prevention. Let's join together to make a positive impact in the lives of those affected by birth defects.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1961</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition of Birth Defects</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dr. James G. Wilson presents the concept of "Teratology," the study of birth defects, focusing on understanding developmental disorders and their causes.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1973</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of NBDPN</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) is established to conduct surveillance and research, and to work towards the prevention of birth defects.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1983</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Folic Acid Studies</div><div class='timeline-text'>Research begins to confirm that consumption of Folic Acid can help prevent certain birth defects, which leads to later dietary supplement recommendations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>FDA Regulation on Folic Acid</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that folic acid be added to enriched cereal grain products in efforts to prevent neural tube defects.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition of January as NBDPM</div><div class='timeline-text'>January is officially recognized as National Birth Defects Prevention Month to improve birth defect surveillance, research, and prevention.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>CDC's "Five Tips" Campaign</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unveils its "Five Tips for Preventing Birth Defects" campaign, emphasizing steps for prevention.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread awareness</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share information and resources on social media, in your community, and with friends and family to help raise awareness about birth defects and how they can be prevented.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a fundraiser</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a fundraiser for a local organization that supports families affected by birth defects or funds research for prevention. This can be a bake sale, charity walk, or any other creative idea you come up with!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to learn more about birth defects and what causes them. This will not only help you understand the importance of prevention, but also how to support those affected by them.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Reach out to a family affected by birth defects</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Connect with a family in your community who is affected by birth defects and offer your support and assistance. This can be a simple act of kindness that can make a big difference in their lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a healthy pregnancy workshop</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a workshop for expectant mothers to learn about how to have a healthy pregnancy and reduce the risk of birth defects. You can invite healthcare professionals to speak and provide resources for attendees.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It increases awareness about birth defects and their prevention</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Birth Defects Prevention Month is an important time to educate the public about the causes of birth defects and how they can be prevented. By increasing awareness, we can help to reduce the number of babies born with these conditions.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes healthy pregnancies and births</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>During National Birth Defects Prevention Month, there is a focus on encouraging women to adopt healthy lifestyles before and during pregnancy. This includes things like taking folic acid supplements, avoiding harmful substances, and receiving necessary vaccinations - all of which can greatly reduce the risk of birth defects.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It offers support for families affected by birth defects</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>For families who have a child born with a birth defect, National Birth Defects Prevention Month serves as a reminder that they are not alone. It provides resources for families to access support and connect with others going through similar experiences, helping to ease the physical, emotional, and financial burdens that come with caring for a child with a birth defect.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Birth Defects Affect One in Every 33 Babies in the US</h3><p class='facts-text'>According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3% of all babies born in the US each year are affected by birth defects.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are more than 4,000 Different Types of Birth Defects</h3><p class='facts-text'>Birth defects can range from mild conditions that require no medical treatment to severe conditions that cause physical or mental disabilities, or even fatality.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Certain Lifestyle Choices Can Increase the Risk of Birth Defects</h3><p class='facts-text'>Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using certain drugs during pregnancy may significantly increase the risk of having a baby with birth defects.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Taking Folic Acid Can Help Prevent Birth Defects</h3><p class='facts-text'>Studies have shown that taking folic acid before and during the early stages of pregnancy can reduce the risk of certain birth defects that affect the baby's brain and spinal cord.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Certain Chronic Diseases in Mothers Can Increase the Risk of Birth Defects</h3><p class='facts-text'>Conditions like diabetes and certain types of epilepsy, if not well managed during pregnancy, can increase a baby's risk of developing birth defects.</p></div></div>
National Birth Defects Prevention Month is celebrated on January 1 every year. In 2024, it will fall on a Monday.
2023
Jan 1
Sunday
2024
Jan 1
Monday
2025
Jan 1
Wednesday
2026
Jan 1
Thursday
2027
Jan 1
Friday
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