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Surgeon General proclaims 2005 the year of the healthy child

Physician Practice Advisor, January 25, 2005

U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona announced that 2005, the "Year of the Healthy Child," will focus on improving the body, mind, and spirit of the growing child and will highlight steps that women should take to keep themselves healthy, especially when they are considering becoming pregnant. This includes a healthful diet, exercise, and eliminating tobacco use and alcohol consumption.

The Surgeon General also recommends every woman of child-bearing age supplement her diet with 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. Folic acid is a B vitamin necessary for proper cell growth to ward off neural tube defects and serious birth defects of the brain and spine.

The Office of the Surgeon General will also address immunizations, childhood obesity, physical activity, illness and injury prevention, healthy indoor environment, child abuse prevention, drug and alcohol use prevention, and safe teen driving.

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