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.
Sharing Information
A Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) on Indigenous Health between Health
Canada and the Department of Health and Human Services of the
Government of the United States of America was signed on May
13, 2002. One of the key areas for action under the MOU was Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Over the past five years, this partnership
has been an excellent vehicle to share information on best practices
and current research, facilitate and support Indigenous-to-Indigenous
and government-to-government relationships, and strengthen collaboration
in both countries. View
a PDF version of the MOU available on the Indian Health Service
Web site.
Related Information
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