GrassrootsHealth is leading a team on a groundbreaking initiative to ensure that vitamin D sufficiency becomes a standard component of prenatal care—a change that has the potential to reduce pregnancy complications, preterm births, and infant mortality rates dramatically.
We invite everyone to join us in this timely and transformative effort to improve maternal and infant health across the nation.
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GrassrootsHealth is a 501(c)(3) IRS-approved nonprofit
Pregnancy is Most Sensitive to Vitamin D Deficiency
During pregnancy, the body undergoes a unique transformation in vitamin D metabolism. The conversion of vitamin D into its active form, calcitriol, triples by the 12th week of gestation—reaching levels that would be toxic or even fatal to a non-pregnant individual. This shift occurs only during pregnancy and is dependent on having sufficient vitamin D—making it a critical but overlooked aspect of maternal care.
Clinical evidence has been available for over a decade demonstrating that achieving vitamin D sufficiency, defined as a serum 25(OH)D level of at least 40 ng/mL (i.e., what’s measured in the blood), can reduce the risk of:
- Preeclampsia and other vascular disorders of pregnancy
- Preterm labor and birth
- Gestational diabetes
- Medically necessary cesarean sections
- Impaired fetal growth
- Infections and other pregnancy complications
- Adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants
- Childhood and lifelong chronic illnesses
Did you know? The 2024 edition of Feldman and Pike’s Vitamin D (considered the authoritative resource on the topic) states, “Entering pregnancy with a circulating 25(OH)D level of at least 40 ng/ml, imparts perfect protection against the development of preeclampsia.”
Unfortunately, this evidence continues to be ignored, leaving current vitamin D guidelines grossly outdated, and a vast majority of pregnant women with insufficient levels – (89%) have vitamin D levels below 40 ng/ml, and almost one-third (31%) have vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/ml. Black women have a much higher risk of deficiency, up to 15-20 times greater.
Meanwhile, scientific research shows that when vitamin D is supplemented correctly and vitamin D blood levels are monitored to assure sufficiency during pregnancy, the risk of complications can be significantly reduced.
Why This Initiative Matters
The United States currently has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with disproportionate impacts on Black and underserved communities.
Ensuring access to evidence-based vitamin D protocols is vital for improving prenatal and infant health outcomes. Meanwhile, current vitamin D guidelines are outdated, ignoring published clinical evidence confirming 40 ng/ml as the minimum 25(OH)D serum level necessary for improving these outcomes. Proper assessment and maintenance of adequate vitamin D levels through effective dosing are essential for achieving sufficiency, which supports critical physiological needs during pregnancy that promote optimal fetal development, reduce complications, and enhance maternal and neonatal well-being.
These actions represent an easy, safe, inexpensive yet effective way to greatly decrease risk of many diseases of pregnancy and early childhood – offering the potential for a lifetime of health.
What We Ask of Congress
To easily, safely, inexpensively and effectively improve prenatal and newborn health outcomes, using evidence from modern-day science, we request the Congress
- Redefine sufficient vitamin D levels as a minimum 25(OH)D serum level of 40 ng/ml
- Implement testing and supplementation to ensure sufficiency as part of standard care for women of childbearing age
- Define vitamin D testing and supplementation for prenatal health as medically necessary and therefore to be covered by health insurance
- Require educational materials are available to policy makers (state and federal), health care providers, and medical institutions about vitamin D in prenatal and newborn health
- Take the leadership in bipartisan sponsorships to support the above-mentioned new legislation
How You Can Help
GrassrootsHealth is taking the lead with this initiative to update national vitamin D policy, working with an incredible team of scientists, doctors, experts, organizations, government officials, and other advocates to ensure that our voice is heard and action is taken. Part of the team are prenatal vitamin D research pioneers, Drs. Carol Wagner and Bruce Hollis, from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), who have been publishing data since 2006 on vitamin D, pregnancy, newborns, and breastfeeding.
We respectfully ask you to consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support this urgent work. 100% of your donation will directly fund our advocacy and education efforts.
You can also mail a check to:
GrassrootsHealth
315 S. Coast Hwy 101, Suite U-87
Encinitas, CA 92024
GrassrootsHealth is a 501(c)(3) IRS-approved nonprofit, therefore, all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law—often reducing both federal and state income taxes. Additionally, you can include our organization in your estate plans through a will or living trust. Any amount you leave to us is fully exempt from federal estate taxes, allowing you to make this lasting impact while potentially reducing the tax burden on your heirs.
With your support, we can make this life-saving, low-cost intervention a standard part of prenatal care—and help ensure healthier outcomes for mothers and their babies, as well as future generations, across the country.
If you have questions or would like to discuss your support further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at [email protected].
Ensuring adequate vitamin D levels from preconception through pregnancy and early childhood affects a lifetime of health. Help give all women and babies a better chance at experiencing the health benefits of vitamin D sufficiency.
Thank you for your commitment to advancing maternal and infant health. Together, we can turn decades of research into effective policy and practice that saves lives now and for future generations.
Onwards in Health and Gratitude,
Jen Aliano, MS
Executive Director
GrassrootsHealth
[email protected]
In Collaboration With
Scientific Experts
Cedric Garland, DrPH, FACE
Professor, University of California San Diego Department of Preventive Medicine
Principal Investigator, GrassrootsHealth
William Grant, PhD
Director, Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center
Bruce Hollis, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina
Patrick McCullough, MD
Chief of Medical Services at Summit Behavioral Health
Beth Sanford, DNP
Director of Education and Clinical Practice
GrassrootsHealth
Carol Wagner, MD
Professor of Medicine, Neonatologist, Associate Director, Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program and Translational Research Center Medical University of South Carolina
Sunil Wimalawansa, MD, PhD, MBA
Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition
Partners & Organizations
- Crossroads Health Foundation, Inc
- GrassrootsHealth
- Institute for Birth Healing
- My Health Alliance
- North Dakota Nurses Association
- Organic and Natural Health Association
- Organic Consumers Association
- Orthomolecular Medicine News Service
- Power Up Nursing
Collaborating Medical Doctors
- Antoinette (Toni) Austin-Glass, MD (TX) – Attending Capitol Hill Event
- Nakiisa Rogers, MD (IN) – Attending Capitol Hill Event
Supporting Government Officials (Active & Retired)
- Karen Rohr, PhD (ND) – Attending Capitol Hill Event
- Paul Seaton, MS (AK)
Individuals in Attendance
- Erica S. Smith
If you or your organization would like to collaborate with us on this initiative, please complete the form below, and we will reach out to you!