Delaying mandatory folic acid fortification policy perpetuates health inequalities: results from a retrospective study of postpartum New Zealand women

Abstract

Few women comply with periconceptional folic acid recommendations and thus the maximal prevention of neural tube defects is still far from being attained. Data from this retrospective study demonstrate that mandatory fortification benefits segments of the population less likely to use supplements. This finding has compelling policy implications in countries yet to mandate the folic acid fortification of a staple food.