葉酸へのアクセス格差が先天異常リスクを高める可能性（UC Irvine study finds folic acid access gaps that may increase birth defects risks）

2026-06-08 カリフォルニア大学アーバイン校（UCI）

＜関連情報＞

• https://news.uci.edu/2026/06/08/uc-irvine-study-finds-folic-acid-access-gaps-that-may-increase-birth-defects-risks/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877575626000431

米国国立衛生研究所の「All of Us」データを用いた葉酸サプリメント摂取における人種的・民族的格差の理解促進 Advancing Understanding of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Folic Acid Supplementation via National Institutes of Health All of Us Data

Isabel F. Almeida, Yael Marks, Brian Vu, Tara Mostafazadeh
Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare  Available online: 8 May 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2026.101225

Highlights

• Non-Hispanic Black women had higher odds of folic acid supplementation compared to non-Hispanic White women.
• Across all racial/ethnic groups examined, uninsured women had lower folic acid supplementation rates.
• Pregnancy and older age were associated with higher odds of folic acid supplementation.

Abstract

Objective

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital anomalies caused by failure of neural tube closure during pregnancy and contribute to childhood morbidity and mortality. Folic acid supplementation reduces NTDs risk, yet adherence remains low, particularly among Hispanic women and non-Hispanic Black women. This study examines folic acid supplementation by race/ethnicity, nativity, and social determinants of health (SDOH).

Methods

Data came from the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program (Registered Tier Dataset v7), a large, diverse biomedical dataset that includes underrepresented populations. Analyses were restricted to participants enrolled between May 2018-June 2022. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression models assessed for differences in folic acid supplementation, controlling for age, income, education, insurance, and pregnancy.

Results

Among pregnant and non-pregnant women of childbearing age (18–49 years; N = 85,874), older age was associated with higher odds of folic acid supplementation (aOR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03–1.04, p < 0.001). Lack of insurance was associated with lower odds of supplementation (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.34–0.56, p 0 < 0.001), while pregnancy was associated with higher odds (aOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.90–2.71, p < 0.001). Non-Hispanic Black women had higher odds compared to non-Hispanic White women (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.88–2.40, p < 0.001). Among Hispanic women, age and pregnancy were associated with higher odds, lack of insurance with lower odds, and nativity was not associated with supplementation.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the role of SDOH and the need for equitable interventions across the reproductive lifespan.