Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects
This section profiles Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE)
as it affects First Nations and Inuit communities and some of the strategies
that are being used to deal with these conditions.
Here you will find tools to help understand and deal with FAS/FAE. You will
find references to publications, community projects, contact names, links to
other sites, and additional resources that will be of use to those engaged
in the struggle around FAS/FAE.
A Serious Health Issue
(excerpt from the "It
Takes a Community" Report)
FAS and FAE are birth defects caused by the consumption
of alcohol during pregnancy. FAS/FAE is a nation-wide health
concern, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, socioeconomic status,
or sex. Because of lack of recognition and diagnosis, it is difficult to be
certain how many individuals have FAS/FAE. About one baby out of 500 to 3000
annual live births will have FAS; this is called the incidence of FAS (how
often a problem occurs annually).
The incidence of FAS is greater than the incidence of either
Down's Syndrome or Spina Bifida. The incidence of FAE is 5 to 10 times higher
than the incidence of FAS.
This means that, each year in Canada, somewhere between
123 - 740 babies are born with FAS, and around 1000 babies are born with FAE
(based on 370,000 births per year). Prevalence means the number of people in
a population that have a problem at a specific point in time. The prevalence
of FAS/FAE in high-risk populations, including First Nations and Inuit communities,
may be as high as 1 in 5.
FAS/FAE in First Nations and Inuit Communities
The rates of FAS/FAE in some First Nations and Inuit communities
are much higher than the national average. Moreover, FAS/FAE exists in the
context of the history of colonization and devaluation endured by First Nations
and Inuit, which has resulted in a loss of culture.
In the past, because of a lack of awareness of FAS/FAE,
people have tended to focus on the negative aspects of FAS/FAE. Individuals
affected by FAS/FAE have been isolated from their families and communities,
and the communities' men, pregnant women, and mothers have been impacted by
shame, guilt, and grief.
Strategies are emerging, as is the awareness of ways to
address FAS/FAE issues through prevention, identification, and intervention
efforts. With support and intervention, FAS/FAE affected individuals can lead
productive lives. Most importantly, people are beginning to realize that FAS/FAE
are community issues that need to be addressed on an individual, family, and
community level, utilizing partnerships at the regional and national level.
Through education, awareness, support, and
healing, FAS/FAE can be prevented.
For further information, please see:
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