[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1926-E1927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the 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

[[Page E1927]]

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.

                          ____________________