[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 21732] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]NATIONAL SPINA BIFIDA MONTH ______ HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD of california in the house of representatives Friday, September 29, 2006 Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate October as National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. It is estimated that 3000 babies are born in the United States each year with a serious birth defect of the brain or spine called a neural tube defect. Spina bifida, the most common neural tube defect, is the leading cause of childhood paralysis. There are approximately 70,000 people in the United States currently living with this permanently disabling birth defect. Spina Bifida can be accompanied by significant social, emotional and financial burdens. But with proper medical and family care, people affected by Spina Bifida can live productive lives with the help of braces and/or a wheelchair. The key to a better life for Americans who live with Spina Bifida is research and improved quality-of-life, and this goal must be a national priority. Along with developing new methods for treatment and care, a critical effort must also be aimed at prevention. In response to research that showed the incidence of Spina Bifida could be reduced by up to 75% with the addition of folic acid in a woman's diet, the United States Public Health Service recommended that all women of childbearing years should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to prevent having a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect. Based on this recommendation, I introduced the Folic Acid Promotion and Birth Defects Prevention Act, which was passed into law as part of the Children's Health Act of 2000. This Act authorized a program within CDC to provide professional and public education for folic acid awareness. The good news is that progress has been made in educating women about the importance of consuming folic acid supplements and maintaining diets rich in folic acid. However, the majority of women in this country are still not aware of the benefits of folic acid, and only 40 percent of women ages 18 to 45 take a daily vitamin with the recommended level of folic acid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, reports that the rate of Spina Bifida in the Hispanic population is almost seven in 10,000 births, nearly 40 percent higher than the non-Hispanic rate. And tragically, Hispanic women continue to have the lowest reported folic acid consumption of any racial or ethnic group. To that end, I am happy to report that Gruma--one of the world's largest producers of corn flour and tortillas--has begun researching and conducting product testing with a year-end goal of enriching with folic acid its corn products sold in the United States. Imported corn flours--unlike most wheat flour and cereal products--are currently not enriched with folic acid. This important voluntary action by Gruma has significant implications for improving the health and well-being of the U.S. Hispanic/Latino population. Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the role of the Spina Bifida Association. The Spina Bifida Association, SBA, is an organization that has helped those affected by this debilitating disease for over 30 years and is the Nation's only organization solely dedicated to advocating on behalf of the Spina Bifida community. With almost 57 chapters in more than 125 communities, the SBA brings families together to answer questions, voice concerns, and lend support to one another. Together the SBA and various local SBA California chapters work tirelessly to help families living with Spina Bifida meet the challenges and enjoy the rewards of raising their children. I thank the local chapters of SBA, especially those in my State of California for all they have done and all that they will continue to do to advance the needs of the Spina Bifida community. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, we have come a long way in the prevention of new incidences of spina bifida, as well as in the treatment and care of those individuals impacted by this serious birth defect. But there is still much to do. During this month of National Spina Bifida Awareness, we must commit ourselves to the goals of increased prevention, expanded health education, more thorough research, and improved quality of life for all those living with Spina Bifida. ____________________