Just released: The international charter on prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Accessed on: 27 Feb 2014

Commentary by: Krystal Glowatski

While this isn’t a news article – this is ‘FASD in the News’ at it’s best!  Just released yesterday is the International Charter on Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  If you have any interest at all in FASD, I urge you to read this short article.  It highlights every point and argument I can think of surrounding FASD.

Since I can’t say it better, I’m going to provide you with a few of my favourite lines and leave the rest up to you:

“Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a serious health and social problem, as well as an educational and legal issue, which affects individuals, families, and societies worldwide.”

“Although maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the direct cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, many underlying causes exist for drinking during pregnancy.”

“The perception that fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is affected only by a woman’s choices is a major barrier to effective prevention efforts. Men also have a responsibility.”

“Although public knowledge of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is high in some countries, it is very low worldwide.”

“Informative materials about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in regionally-specific languages, and that are relevant to local cultures and systems, are needed.”

If this doesn’t get your interest, I don’t know what will.  Please – read, comment, share!  This is a very exciting moment in the world of FASD research and practice.