The NW Peace FASD Network is proud to be an exhibitor at the upcoming Caregivers Together 2022 Conference.
Conference’s registration page: https://hopin.com/events/caregivers-together-2022
By clicking on this link, attendees will be able to sign up as Caregivers, Caregivers + COMPASS Certification Program Participants, Health Care Professionals, or Health Care Professionals + Certification Program Participants.
Greaves, Lorraine, Nancy Poole, and Andreea C. Brabete. 2022. “Sex, Gender, and Alcohol Use: Implications for Women and Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 8: 4523. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084523
Alcohol use is coming under increasing scrutiny with respect to its health impacts on the body. In this vein, several high-income countries have issued low-risk drinking guidelines in the past decade, aiming to educate the public on safer levels of alcohol use. Research on the sex-specific health effects of alcohol has indicated higher damage with lower amounts of alcohol for females as well as overall sex differences in the pharmacokinetics of alcohol in male and female bodies. Research on gender-related factors, while culturally dependent, indicates increased susceptibility to sexual assault and intimate partner violence as well as more negative gender norms and stereotypes about alcohol use for women. Sex- and gender-specific guidelines have been issued in some countries, suggesting lower amounts of alcohol consumption for women than men; however, in other countries, sex- and gender-blind advice has been issued. This article reports on a synthesis of the evidence on both sex- and gender-related factors affecting safer levels of drinking alcohol with an emphasis on women’s use. We conclude that supporting and expanding the development of sex- and gender-specific low-risk drinking guidelines offers more nuanced and educative information to clinicians and consumers and will particularly benefit women and girls.
Retrieved from https://preventionconversation.org/2022/04/25/sex-gender-and-alcohol-use-implications-for-women-andlow-risk-drinking-guidelines/
In 2017, CanFASD developed a document intended to encourage consistency in how we talk and write about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Our Common Messages Guidelines have now been around for five years, and we regularly update them to reflect new research and information.
CanFASD strongly believes that respect, dignity, and human worth for people with FASD, people who are pregnant, and their support systems should be promoted. We also value information that is accurate and evidence-based. Our Guidelines align with these values and promote messages that are in line with these principles.
Our revised 2022 Guidelines were just released. They include additions and updates related to:
Read the full document to see all the changes for yourself!
You can view the whole article here: https://www.womenshealth.com.au/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-3-mothers-share-their-experiences/
BY NIKOLINA ILIC | MAR 4, 2022
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) the leading non-genetic developmental disability in Australia, caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
In some cases the symptoms of FASD often go overlooked and undiagnosed – a recent study of almost 1,500 Australian women aged 18-44 years found that more than half (51 percent) of women surveyed were not aware that alcohol use could cause harm even in the first few weeks after conception – leaving those who have FASD unsupported in school environments and beyond.
“The effects of this condition are life long,” explains Professor Elizabeth Elliott, University of Sydney. “So even though it is often diagnosed in children, as those children grow up, if they have problems with understanding and expressing their feelings, if they’ve got poor impulse control, they often drop our of school, they often get in trouble with the legal system, and they often have poor self esteem. Many of them cannot live and work independantly, so it’s really important to understand that this is a life-long problem.”
To find out more, we spoke to three mothers who have experienced FASD, and hear their stories.
– Mother of a child with FASD
I was physically dependent upon alcohol when I fell pregnant after self-medicating on, amongst other trauma, the devastating news that without IVF, I could not conceive. That sad irony is not lost on me. When my son received his official diagnosis of FASD (he was first diagnosed with autism), it solidified what deep down, I already knew and that was very confronting. The guilt was crippling however it was also a moment of great relief as the early interventions and accommodations my son desperately needed became available to him. He had his correct diagnosis.
My child’s symptoms include difficulty with emotional regulation, extreme anxiety, speech issues, sensory issues and both academic and social challenges at school. Especially in mathematics and handwriting. These symptoms present as behaviours such as yelling, throwing things and shutting down. He has an NDIS plan which allows for him to attend speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychology. This has helped him immeasurably. His therapists also communicate with his school and they have been wonderful with implementing any and all accommodations suggested to ensure school is a positive place. Fidget and sensory items help with anxiety.
I have also learned and adapted to my son’s world rather than expecting him to fit our rigid world. He simply cannot do that. Rather than driving to team sports, we are driving to therapy appointments but we still make it a lot of fun.
My advice is for women wanting to conceive and given that around one third of pregnancies are unplanned, any women where potentially falling pregnant is a possibility. FASD is an irreversible lifelong brain based disability which is invisible from the outside in the vast majority of children and it’s 100% preventable. It can and does occur at low level alcohol consumption and when women have stopped drinking the second they found out they were pregnant. There is now no doubt that there is no safe limit of alcohol consumption at any time during pregnancy. Alcohol is a teratogen and crosses the placenta causing damage to the unborn baby’s brain and organ development. Prevention is key however I would be remiss not to address any women who may already have consumed alcohol during pregnancy and are worried about their child. The correct diagnosis is always the best diagnosis and women need not feel shame or blame in disclosing alcohol use during their pregnancy in order to get help for their children. Any women who are physically dependant on alcohol also need not feel shame in disclosing this as there is help and support available. My advice for health professionals, please show understanding and compassion. No mother intentionally sets out to harm her unborn child.
Click here to read the full article.
Retrieved from https://preventionconversation.org/2022/03/09/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-3-mothers-share-their-experiences/
Join us on Tuesday, 15 March, on the webinar “Women, Alcohol Consumption and the COVID-19 Pandemic” to discuss the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on women´s mental health, alcohol consumption, and how alcohol marketing, policies and interventions have influenced women’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The session will also discuss the implications for equity and the building of health systems that are responsive to gender differences and the needs of women across their life span.
Many studies have raised concerns about alcohol consumption among women during the coronavirus pandemic. Stressful events correlate with higher levels of alcohol consumption at the population level. Data from the early stages of the pandemic in the Americas suggested that anxiety and depression symptoms were more prevalent in women and those reporting heavy episodic drinking before the pandemic tended to increase their use during the period. Also, the effects of “drinking to forget one’s worries” seemed more prominent among women. In the eastern part of Europe, women were less likely to decrease their alcohol use during the pandemic compared to men.
The COVID-19 pandemic also led people to spend more time online. Online alcohol marketing skyrocketed, as well as sales online, in many countries. Alcohol companies have seen an unprecedent opportunity to market their brands and products, raising their capacity to historically shape how gender roles and expectations are understood, as well as increasing the likelihood of drinking among women and girls, which constitute a large potential group for alcohol sales. Alcohol is also portrayed as coping mechanism for pandemic-related stress of motherhood, contributing to misinformation on alcohol use among women and the health problems associated with it, including during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Multiple dimensions shape women’s experiences with alcohol use and must shape the health responses to support them, especially in difficult times.
For other cities, check the time in the following link
Alcohol is a widely consumed psychoactive substance that contributes to substantial health and social problems. Harms range from unhealthy weight gain from liquid calories to several types of cancer. Since the pandemic began, about one-third of people surveyed are drinking more. But few people understand the risks involved in drinking alcohol.
To investigate how alcohol container labels can be used to build public awareness, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction commissioned Enhanced Alcohol Container Labels: A Systematic Review and developed a summary of the report’s highlights. These findings will be useful for public health stakeholders, researchers and policy makers considering the evidence on alcohol container labels.
Key findings include:
Enhanced alcohol container labels are one way to provide critical information to help people living in Canada who drink alcohol to make informed and healthier decisions about their consumption. They should continue to be studied, especially in real-world settings, to inform labelling standards and policies.
CCSA-Enhanced-Alcohol-Container-Labels-Systematic-Review-Summary-2022-enDownload
This document summarizes key findings from the technical report of the same name that analyzes the published research on alcohol labels with nutrition information, health warnings, standard drink information and low-risk drinking guidelines.
CCSA-Enhanced-Alcohol-Container-Labels-Systematic-Review-Report-enDownload
This document analyzes the published research on alcohol labels with nutrition information, health warnings, standard drink information and low-risk drinking guidelines. Key findings show alcohol drink labels with this information improve consumer knowledge of alcohol-related risks, and, in some studies, decrease the intention to buy or drink alcohol, and the total amount of alcohol consumed. Evidence suggests there is public support for adding alcohol drink labels with this information.
Retrieved from https://preventionconversation.org/2022/03/07/ccsa-enhanced-alcohol-container-labels-a-systematic-review/
Written by Sophie, Biological mum to a teenage son with FASD
Parenting, in general, is hard work. It is challenging but also rewarding, especially as a biological mother to a teenage son with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
It’s been almost 18 months since my son was formally diagnosed with FASD, a journey that was years in the making.
FASD is the leading non-genetic developmental disorder in Australia caused by drinking alcohol while pregnant. People with FASD experience lifelong physical, behavioural and cognitive challenges.
More than one in four women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy are unaware drinking even low levels of alcohol during pregnancy can cause FASD.
Until a few years ago, I was one of these women.
I was in my early 30s when I fell pregnant with my son. I’d been married for four years to a medical professional and had started to prepare by changing what I ate and drank.
My pregnancy was confirmed at six weeks. We were surprised and delighted. But the excitement was followed by trepidation. I had drunk alcohol the night of conception while entertaining with friends and had a few glasses of wine with friends on two further occasions before finding out I was pregnant.
As soon as I realised I was pregnant, I stopped drinking socially and reduced my weekly consumption to half a glass.
Although we were planning a pregnancy, we didn’t expect to fall pregnant so quickly. Almost one in two Australian women are not aware that alcohol could cause harm even in the early stages of pregnancy.
Every parent wants to do the right thing for their growing baby to give them the best start in life. I would drink one weak coffee per day, wash my salad, and avoid soft cheese for fear of causing harm to my developing baby.
However, I still remember standing in my kitchen for my “Friday night treat” measuring one standard glass of wine. The amount was considered safe at the time. The guidelines are now very clear and if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should not drink alcohol
Click here to read the full article.
Retrieved from https://mumcentral.com.au/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder/
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the ‘FASD Prevention Conversation, A Shared Responsibility Project’, its stakeholders, and/or funders.
Retrieved from https://preventionconversation.org/2022/02/23/what-i-wish-i-knew-about-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder/
Our newest webinar, Understanding the FASD Diagnosis, will be held Friday February 28, 2022 at 1:00pm EST.
Researchers have shown that early diagnosis can improve outcomes for people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Early diagnosis can lead to earlier support and interventions, which can reduce the risk of health challenges and common secondary outcomes in the future. Early diagnosis can also help reduce stigma, improve understanding and self-awareness, and potentially identify substance use challenges in parents.
But what does FASD diagnosis look like? You usually can’t tell if someone has FASD just from looking at them, the visible facial differences show up in less than 10% of cases. There are also no specific medical tests, like a blood test, that can tell us if someone has FASD. FASD diagnosis involves a multi-disciplinary team of professionals that assess various aspects of an individual to come to a diagnosis.
This webinar will provide an overview of the FASD diagnostic guidelines and the process of clinic. It will assist families, service providers and policy makers to better understand the elements that make up an FASD diagnosis and what you can expect during the process. It will feature presentations from two key individuals in the diagnostic process: Dr. Hasmukhlal (Hasu) Rajani and Colleen Burns.
Colleen Burns has been the Clinic Training Services Coordinator for the Rajani Assessment and Diagnostic Clinic Training Services since 2011. She facilitates training and community practice events and develops resources for FASD clinic teams. Dr. Rajani is the Team Physician for the Lakeland Centre for FASD diagnostic clinic, as well as for the North West Central FASD Network, North East Alberta FASD Network Assessment and Diagnostic Clinics, and the Alexander First Nation Assessment Clinic. He provides clinic training and mentors and educates Government and other agencies and FASD assessment and diagnostic clinics to strengthen their ability to provide consistent diagnostic and supportive services.
Register now to attend. As always, our presentations will be recorded and a copy of the webinar will be uploaded to our YouTube channel after the event. You can now watch a recording of our previous webinar, Optimizing Employment Opportunities and Outcomes for People with FASD.
Follow this link to register
Please use Eventbrite to register https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fasd-caregiver-support-series-tickets-262159334627
Reach out to Leanne@nwfasd.ca or kim@nwfasd.ca if you have any questions.
NW Peace FASD Network 