Study Links Healthcare Access to Lower Folic Acid Intake, Higher Birth Defect Risk

Researchers at UC Irvine have published a study indicating that insufficient healthcare access and insurance coverage correlate with lower folic acid consumption among women. The findings suggest that structural barriers, rather than origin, are primary factors in women not taking recommended folic acid amounts. This issue is critical as adequate folic acid intake is essential for preventing neural tube defects in newborns.