Folic Acid: The Best Tool to Prevent NTDs Training

Page Summary

  • Learn counseling strategies for neural tube defect (NTD) prevention.
  • Learn how to address common folic acid myths and misinformation.
  • Explore collaborating across teams to strengthen folic acid education.
  • Earn 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hour, CEU, or CHES Category 1 credit.
Course length: 1 hour
Date updated: October 18, 2022

Key points

  • Learn counseling strategies for neural tube defect (NTD) prevention.
  • Learn how to address common folic acid myths and misinformation.
  • Explore collaborating across teams to strengthen folic acid education.
  • Earn 1 CME, Nursing Contact Hour, CEU, or CHES Category 1 credit.
Course length: 1 hour
Date updated: October 18, 2022

Training overview

In this 1-hour webinar, CDC experts discuss the important role of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs are serious birth defects of a baby's brain and spine. With rising misinformation online, healthcare providers play a key role in ensuring patients receive evidence-based guidance.

During this webinar, you will learn about

  • Folic acid's sustained impact in preventing NTDs.
  • The different forms of folate.
  • Why folic acid is the only form proven to help prevent NTDs.

Recommendations are also provided for people with MTHFR gene variants.

Additionally, an interactive discussion features a double board certified obstetrician-gynecologist and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, Shannon Clark, MD, MMS, FACOG. Dr. Clark shares her experiences counseling patients about folic acid. She describes how she addresses common questions or misconceptions about folic acid. She also shares how healthcare professionals can improve collaboration within the healthcare team to improve folic acid intake to prevent NTDs.

Training objectives

  • Describe the epidemiology of neural tube defects (NTDs).
  • Explain the different forms of folate.
  • Describe the folic acid recommendation for preventing NTDs.
  • Explain how gene variants affect folate metabolism.
  • Address common questions about folic acid safety and effects.
  • Discuss improving collaborative practice around folic acid intake.

Who this training is for

  • Physicians
  • Registered Nurses
  • Health educators
  • Physician assistants
  • Program managers
  • Public health professionals
  • Dietitians

Continuing education units

To receive continuing education (CE) for WD4615 — Folic Acid: The Best Tool to Prevent Neural Tube Defects webinar, visit TCEO. Follow the "9 Simple Steps to Get Your Continuing Education (CE)" before September 14, 2024.

Complete the activity: Complete the evaluation at www.cdc.gov/GetCE. Pass the posttest at 67% at www.cdc.gov/GetCE.

FEES: No fees are charged for CDC's CE activities.

To receive CPE (Dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered): Complete the evaluation.

Accreditation statements

In support of improving patient care, CDC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

CME: CDC designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CNE: CDC designates this activity for 1 nursing contact hours.

CEU: CDC is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEUs for this program.

CECH: Sponsored by CDC, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 1. Continuing Competency credits available are 1. CDC provider number 98614.