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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

The Challenge

While there is a lack of comparable data on the use of alcohol and tobacco by mothers of young Aboriginal children compared to mothers of non-Aboriginal children, anecdotal evidence suggests that it is an issue. The use of alcohol by pregnant mothers is believed to pose a significant challenge in some Aboriginal communities. Based on scattered local and regional surveys, the incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome and effects (FAS/FAE) is believed to be much higher among Aboriginal children than among non-Aboriginal children, although no definitive statistics are available.

Women who receive inadequate prenatal care and nutrition are three times more likely to have low-birth weight babies and to experience birth complications which may lead to chronic conditions or disability for the child.

The western approach to FASD is to isolate the mother from behaviour that might present risk to the unborn child. A traditional approach would see each member of the family undertaking roles to ensure healthy prenatal care is provided for the new addition to the family. This means that father’s responsibilities in abstaining from alcohol and drugs are just as important as mothers.

The Program

A meeting of experts planned for the fall of 2009 that will prioritize issues and set the stage for the development of a comprehensive strategy to combat FASD in our communities. The objectives are twofold: First to raise awareness of the extreme risks associated with alcohol and drug use during pregnancy, and second to advocate for early detection of FASD.

As a national advocacy organization, NWAC has growing concerns around how different phenomena are linked. If FASD is found to play a role and is an underlying root cause behind disturbing trends such as those related to sexual exploitation, gangs, and even missing and murdered Aboriginal women then it should be targeted as a priority for change. NWAC promotes sustainable change; “it’s not about beating the odds, it’s about changing the odds.”

The Opportunity

NWAC is committed to facilitating collaboration between researchers and Aboriginal communities, and promoting partnerships within a framework of mutual trust and cooperation. The long term goal of our FASD project is to encourage support for early detection of FASD and ultimately break the cycle of prenatal alcohol abuse within the Aboriginal population. This can be achieved in part by strengthening the networks among academia, government, Aboriginal organizations, local youth service providers, child protection agencies, educational and judicial systems, health services, police forces, and early intervention and prevention programs to promote awareness of FASD and its differential impacts.

 

NWAC FASD Research Action Plan

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a nationally representative political organization comprised of thirteen Provincial/Territorial Members Associations. NWAC is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations and Métis women within First Nation and Canadian societies. 

NWAC is strategically positioned to contribute a gendered perspective to emerging issues such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).   The prevalence of FASD in First Nation communities and in the Aboriginal population in general is not well-documented or researched.  In fact, there are only a few areas in Canada where isolated studies have been conducted to identify the incidences.   

Click here to view full FASD Research Action Plan:

NWAC FASD Research Action Plan_EN

Plan d’action AFAC – ETCAF

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