preconception

by Eleanor Snell

North Carolina Preconception Health Campaign Cape Fear Regional Coordinator…wow, that’s a mouth full and my new job title! After ten years I have returned to work for March of Dimes for which I formally served as a Community Director in Wilmington.

During my hiatus from this wonderful organization, I worked for seven years as an Education and Training Specialist for the North Carolina Alcohol and Beverage Control Commission. I traveled throughout eastern North Carolina educating those who sell and serve alcohol to the public, including ABC stores, restaurants, bars, and convenience stores about state alcohol laws. I worked with employees on military bases who sell and serve alcohol, and provided alcohol education programs to parents, civic groups and students from elementary to college age.

By now, much of the public health and health care community in North Carolina recognize this Campaign as the March of Dimes North Carolina Preconception Health Campaign. We are known for spreading preconception health messages within health departments and doctor offices, among consumers and providers, and at community- and professional-level events. 

However, many people still remember our initial years as the North Carolina Folic Acid Campaign, a nationally recognized, award-winning campaign created to improve infant and maternal health by promoting the benefits and consumption of folic acid. While we were similarly engaged across the state as the Folic Acid Campaign as we are now as the Preconception Health Campaign, our messaging was more singularly focused on the promotion of folic acid use among women of childbearing age. And through those first years’ work many came to recognize our flagship folic acid pieces.