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Thursday, February 27, 2020

Alcohol News - 8/2020


bnn-news.com (Latvia) - Latvian ministers disagree on proposal for online alcohol trade
As ministers disagree, Latvian government decides not to push to the Saeima amendments to the Handling of Alcoholic Beverages Law that provide permitting alcohol trade in Latvia over the internet.
PRNewswire - Alcohol Ads Lead to Youth Drinking, Should Be More Regulated, Experts Say
The marketing of alcoholic beverages is one cause of underage drinking, according to new research in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
The Conversation AU - If you’re ageing and on medication, it might be time to re-assess your alcohol intake
Drinking patterns tend to change as we age. The older we get, the more likely we are to drink on a daily basis. But older adults often perceive that drinking is only a problem if a person appears drunk.
Mirror.co.uk (Wales) - Welsh Government to impose new minimum price on alcohol from next month
A new minimum price on alcohol will come into force on March 2 for all retailers in Wales, the government has announced.
Medical Xpress (Australia) - Alcohol too easy for minors to buy online
In an Australian first, public health researchers examined the sales, marketing and delivery practices of the 65 most popular online alcohol retailers in Australia, and the easy access to liquor—for anybody willing to buy it—shocked them.
Nairametrics (Nigeria) - Presidential committee wants alcohol adverts banned to reduce consumption
Adverts of alcohol products might soon be banned from Nigerian airwaves as Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse is canvassing for its exclusion among aired contents.
TimesLIVE (South Africa) - SA to cough up more for fuel, alcohol and tobacco, old age grants up by R80
South Africans will pay even more for alcohol and tobacco following yet another increase on sin taxes, announced by finance minister Tito Mboweni on Wednesday.
Independent Online (South Africa) - Report shows alcohol dependence is a massive problem in the Western Cape
Half of all homicide victims in the province tested positive for alcohol consumption and 45% had blood concentration higher than the legal driving limit, according to the Rapid Review of Burden of Diseases report by Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo.
ERR News (Estonia/Latvia) - Ministry: Border trade continues despite Latvian excise hike
Looming changes to the alcohol excise duty rate in Latvia will render trips to the south to buy strong alcohol meaningless, while beer will remain noticeably cheaper. The Ministry of Finance does not perceive border trade ending just yet.
PsychCentral.com - Weight-Based Bullying Linked to More Alcohol, Cannabis Use in Teens
Teens who are bullied about their weight may be more likely to use alcohol or cannabis compared to their non-bullied peers, according to a new study published online in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.
Medical Xpress (Norway) - Mental health problems combined with high alcohol intake increase risk of premature death
The risk of premature death doubles if you have mental health problems and drink more than the equivalent of two units per day, on average. This a shown in a study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
bnn-news.com (Latvia) - Latvian Saeima decides to reduce planned excise tax rise for alcohol
The increase of excise tax rate for alcoholic beverages planned for 1 March will be more moderate. This much is provided by amendments to the Law on Excise Duties approved in the final reading by the Saeima on Thursday, 20 February, as reported by Saeima’s press-service.
Anchorage Daily News - Why I came around to support the alcohol tax
I am not someone who gets excited about taxes. Initially, I was not in favor of the alcohol tax. But I have changed my mind, will vote yes on Proposition 13, and would like to explain why.
CBS Pittsburgh (USA) - Study: 8 Percent Of West Virginia Babies Exposed To Alcohol Before Birth
About eight percent of West Virginia babies are exposed to alcohol before birth, according to a study.
Helsinki Times (Finland) - Finnish court delivers possible landmark ruling on distance sales of alcohol
THE DISTRICT COURT of Helsinki has dismissed all charges in a case related to Vironviina, a website allowing consumers to order alcohol from Estonia and Latvia.
ABC News (Australia) - New labels warning pregnant women about alcohol anger wine industry
Small wineries in regional Australia are fighting back against a "prohibitive" move to explicitly warn pregnant women about the dangers of drinking alcohol.
NL Times (Netherlands) - AMSTERDAM WANTS TO LIMIT ALCOHOL SALES IN FIGHT AGAINST PARTYING TOURISTS
Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema asked the government to come up with new legislation so that the capital can limit the sale of alcohol around entertainment areas. She hopes that this will help decrease the problems caused by partying tourists.
STAP (Netherlands) - Dutch doctors can contribute more to tackling the alcohol problem
The Dutch Ministry of Health has stated that it wants the number of problem drinkers in 2040 to be half of the current estimate of 1.5 million. One of the key groups in achieving this goal will be the medical profession, but what are the prospects of Dutch doctors taking on this task, which they may fear is an unpopular one?
IAS (Lithuania) - Alcohol control policies and alcohol-related traffic harm in Lithuania: a short summary of a success story
Lithuania joined the European Union (EU) on May 1st 2004 and has experienced significant economic growth since then. Despite some setbacks since then (notably, the economic crisis of 2008-2010), Lithuania maintains a rapid growth rate, is a high-income country and has made significant progress in many social and economic areas.

Sunday, February 23, 2020

FASD News - 7/2020


Politico (USA) - Harmed before birth, America's 'lost children' overshadowed by opioid crisis
The Trump administration’s war on addiction has left behind an oft forgotten piece of the problem: alcoholism and the lifelong damage it can do to children.
Globalnews.ca (Canada) - Saskatchewan Foster Family Association responds to call for more support
The Saskatchewan Foster Family Association (SFFA) has responded to a letter criticizing the level of support for foster children in the province.
The cordova Times (USA) - New legislation would combat fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Legislation introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Don Young, R-Alaska and Betty McCollum, D-Minn., would take steps to inform pregnant mothers and prevent development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in babies.
Love Belfast (Ireland) - Charity concert to feature reunions and revivals of artists associated with legendary Belfast venue The Warehouse (1994-96)
Pete Major from the Holsteins got in touch and said they’d love to reunite for a Warehouse Remembered show if I fancied running another. Pete told me that Holsteins drummer Brian McNamara and his wife Alison had adopted two children with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and had started a local support group, FASD Aware NI, moving towards registration as a charity.
The Standard - Alcohol in pregnancy: Why no amount is safe to drink
The effects of alcohol in pregnancy are completely preventable by simply not drinking, so why take the risk? The safest option is to avoid alcoholic drinks altogether for the whole of the pregnancy.
Medical Daily - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Causes Premature Birth, Low Birth Weight In West Virginia, Study Finds
It is an already known fact that physical deformities and growth deficiencies affect newborns who experienced high doses of prenatal alcohol exposure in the first trimester. This is because organs are still developing during the early stages of pregnancy, making fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) detrimental to the fetus’ growth.
Independent Online (South Africa) - The dire effects alcohol has on foetus development
Watching your child grow up to be healthy and able to stand up for themselves will be nothing but a pipe dream for mothers who continue to drink during pregnancy.
Don Young (USA) - Young, McCollum Introduce House Counterpart Legislation to Address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Congressman Don Young (R-AK) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) have introduced H.R. 5790, the Advancing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Research, Prevention, and Services Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation is counterpart to S. 2879, which has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.
ABC.au (Australia) - New labels warning pregnant women about alcohol anger wine industry
Small wineries in regional Australia are fighting back against a "prohibitive" move to explicitly warn pregnant women about the dangers of drinking alcohol.
EurekAlert (USA) - About 8% of West Virginia babies are exposed to alcohol shortly before birth
About 8 percent of West Virginia newborns are exposed to alcohol two to four weeks before birth, according to a new study.

COMING UP
EUFASD - Welcome to the european conferance on FASD 2020! (14.09.2020-16.09.2020; Arendal Norway)
The first Competence Center for children with prenatal alcohol/drug exposure in Scandinavia is proud to host the EUFASD 2020 in Arendal, Norway.
Karolinska Institutet - CPF Lunch seminar: Developmental origins of health and disease: A translational approach to understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (12-05-2020; Stockholm, Sweden)
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the broad range of effects in individuals exposed to alcohol in utero.
Prue Walker FASD Consultant - Understanding & Responding to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (April 1, 2020; Frankston Australia)
A one-day Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) workshop for professionals to build knowledge, skills and capacity.
CTRI - LIVE STREAM Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Strategies for Supporting (Jul 07 - Jul 08, 2020)
This workshop will review five pillars for success when supporting individuals with FASD. These include a focus on Strengths, Healthy Relationships, Promoting FASD Self Awareness, Adaptations Strategies, and Team-Based Support.
The University of British Columbia - 9th International Research Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD (April 22-25, 2020; Vancouver Canada)
Although there have been thousands of published articles on FASD, there still remains limited research specifically on adolescents and adults with FASD. As individuals diagnosed with FASD continue to age, the “need to know” across a broad spectrum of areas continues to be critically important for identifying clinically relevant research questions and directions.
The University of British Columbia - 7th Biennial Conference on Developmental Disabilities: Health and Wellbeing across the Lifespan (November 25 - 27, 2020; Richmond, Canada)
The term developmental disabilities (DD) refers to people with intellectual disability, autism spectrum, fetal alcohol spectrum and related neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes.
Central Alberta FASD Network - FASD - A Day of Art & Learning (April 17, 2020; Red Deer, Canada)
This event is ideal for individuals suspected or diagnosed with FASD, anyone in their support networks, as well as organizations wanting to enhance their awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
FAFASD - FASD and the Brain-Based Approach, a workshop for parents and professionals (April 14, 2020; Clinton TWP, MI USA)
The FASD and the Brain-Based Approach workshop introduces a neurobehavioral approach to living with, caring for, and working with individuals and families impacted by FASD.

VIDEOS and MATERIALS
YourTV Brockville-Smiths Falls - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder
Kathy Botham speaks with Joe and his mom Cathy about FASD (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder).
Health Communication Resources - HEALTHY BUMPS & BUBS
In partnership with Geraldton Local Drug Action Group, we are supporting the community to develop local radio and video messages around healthy pregnancy, highlighting that no alcohol is safest when planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding.
Clinical Eye Openers - Children of Alcohol - a Long Silent History
Extract (trailer) of the 1st of 4 webinars. The history of civilizations and alcohol are intertwined and illustrated by famous artists. However, only one clearly demonstrates an awareness that the main victims of alcohol are the unborn.
ParkviewHealth - Making the Rounds: Drugs and pregnancy
According to a 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 5.4% of pregnant women, between the ages of 15 and 44, actively used illicit drugs at the time of the survey with around 9.4% reporting they were active users of alcohol.
ABC NEWS - Push for mandatory alcohol warnings for pregnant women
About a quarter of women in Australia continue to drink alcohol when they're pregnant and in a bid to reduce that figure, the Food Standards Regulator is pushing for mandatory warning labels on alcoholic drinks.
TakingITGlobal - FASD Session
This is learning session 4 of 4 created for SSAs in Nunavut.
Het Witte Bos - Alcohol and pregnancy: the effect of one drink
FASD Hub Australia - FASD Diagnosis: Australian Guide to the diagnosis of FASD
The Guide was produced to assist clinicians in the diagnosis, referral and management of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It contains the Australian FASD Diagnostic Instrument and information about how to use the instrument. It provides clinicians with diagnostic criteria for FASD, which were agreed following a review of existing guidelines and consultation with clinical experts.
CanFASD - Issue Paper: FASD and Child Welfare
In Canada, individuals with FASD are overrepresented in the child welfare system. Conservative estimates suggest that the prevalence rates for children in care are at minimum 3-11%.

RESEARCH
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society - Performance Validity Testing in Justice-Involved Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
A number of commonly used performance validity tests (PVTs) may be prone to high failure rates when used for individuals with severe neurocognitive deficits. This study investigated the validity of 10 PVT scores in justice-involved adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a neurodevelopmental disability stemming from prenatal alcohol exposure and linked with severe neurocognitive deficits.
American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law - Neurocognitive Function and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Offenders with Mental Disorders.
Individuals with a history of offending behavior show high rates of mental disorder as well as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Neurocognitive impairments are common in both mental disorders and FASD and may interface with offending behavior. Understanding these impairments could effectively inform clinical considerations among this population.
Psychology and Law - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: the importance of assessment, diagnosis and support in the Australian justice context
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with life-long implications. Individuals with FASD can experience communication, cognitive, behavioural, social and emotional difficulties that impact their functional capacity.
Journal on Developmental Disabilities - Expectations of Youth With a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood: Caregiver Perspectives
There are limited data about adults who have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Caregivers of youth with FASD (N = 16) participated in telephone interviews that included the open-ended question, "What kind of adult life do you think they will have?" A total of 57 unique responses were made to the question.
Neuropharmacology - Rescue of ethanol-induced FASD-like phenotypes via prenatal co-administration of choline
Maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can generate a multitude of deficits in the offspring. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, or FASD, describe a palette of potentially life-long phenotypes that result from exposure to ethanol during human gestation.
Journal of Public Health - An antenatal alcohol service evaluation of the north-east of England and north Cumbria
Standardized patient pathways involving alcohol screening and management practices are required, and sharing best practices will facilitate referrals and support regardless of location. The implementation of these recommendations requires appropriate leadership, commissioning and training strategies.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine - Prenatal Drinking in the Northern Plains: Differences Between American Indian and Caucasian Mothers
Alcohol use was more prevalent among Caucasian mothers. Among those who consumed alcohol during pregnancy, American Indian mothers consumed larger quantities.
bioRxiv - Altered hippocampal place cell representation and theta rhythmicity following moderate prenatal alcohol exposure
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) leads to profound deficits in spatial memory and synaptic and cellular alterations to the hippocampus that last into adulthood.
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Moderate prenatal ethanol exposure stimulates CXCL12/CXCR4 chemokine system in radial glia progenitor cells in hypothalamic neuroepithelium and peptide neurons in lateral hypothalamus of the embryo and postnatal offspring
While showing prenatal ethanol exposure to have a sexually dimorphic, stimulatory effect on CXCL12 and CXCR4 in LH similar to CCL2 and its receptor, these results reveal their distinct relationship to the peptide neurons, with the former closely related to Hcrt/OX and the latter to MCH, and they link ethanol's actions in LH to a stimulatory effect on neuroprogenitor cells in the NEP.
HESAV School of Health Sciences - ‘I can tell when you’re staring at my glass …’ : self- or co-surveillance? Couples’ management of risks related to alcohol use during pregnancy
Social researchers have largely used the framework of self-surveillance to describe the experience of pregnant women within a social context characterised by risk avoidance for the sake of their baby.
Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem - Malformation and death X Alcoholism: perspective of Nursing the Theory of Transitions for alcoholic pregnant women
Women have incipient knowledge about the effects of alcohol on the fetus. They consider that alcohol can only cause physical defects in the children.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health - Understanding the Relationship between Predictors of Alcohol Consumption in Pregnancy: Towards Effective Prevention of FASD
Identifying these predictive factors will allow the design of more effective fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) prevention strategies.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Alcohol News - 7/2020


RTL (Luxembourg) - Reactions across the board support alcohol plan's emphasis on prevention
Three weeks ago, then-Minister of Health Etienne Schneider announced a national alcohol action plan, designed to curb excessive drinking.
The Guardian (UK) - Higher alcohol taxes to fund NHS would benefit poor – study
Raising alcohol taxes does not disproportionately affect poorer households, once the effects of the potential additional funds generated to plough into the NHS are taken into account, according to a study.
BBC News (Wales) - Welsh alcohol minimum pricing awareness campaign starts
A campaign is being launched to remind shoppers and retailers of the start of minimum alcohol pricing in Wales.
Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) - Alcohol-free rugby league fields supported by council panel
A Christchurch City Council hearings panel has backed a call by Canterbury Rugby League to ban alcohol from their sidelines.
Kyiv Post (Ukraine) - Ukraine to fight counterfeit alcohol with electronic excise stamps
Ukraine’s government will battle the counterfeit alcohol market with a new technology. On May 1, the Cabinet of Ministers will roll out electronic excise stamps to push back against trade in counterfeit spirits, Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk announced late on Feb. 12.
Irish Medical Times (Ireland) - Global Alcohol Policy Conference heads to Ireland
GAPC is a network of not-for-profit organisations and public health agencies advocating evidence-based alcohol policies.
Delish.com (USA) - Women Are Looking To Sobriety As An Act Of Activism—And Not Everyone's Pleased
You've noticed more and more of your friends abstaining from drinks at the bar recently, yes? That's because it's becoming way more mainstream to say no to booze in a social setting. (You've heard those same friends name "self-care" as a very nebulous reason for abstaining, right?)
The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - 'Alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby': Regulator approves new warning label
Australian drinkers will be warned "alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby" under a new mandatory labelling scheme approved by the regulator, unless state and federal ministers veto the plan.
Metro - Being the child of an alcoholic means the trauma stays with you for years
Until my teenage years, my family lived a fairly ‘normal’ life. My mother and father, both in good jobs, had four children – I was the oldest.
fox13now.com (USA) - Some people could be blocked from purchasing alcohol in Utah
Some people could be blocked from purchasing alcohol at state-run liquor stores in Utah under a bill introduced in the state legislature.
BU School of Public Health (USA) - State Alcohol Laws Focus on Drunk Driving—They Could Do Much More
US state laws to reduce impaired driving have substantially increased in number and strength over the last 20 years, but laws to reduce excessive drinking remained unchanged, according to a new School of Public Health study.
Russia Business Today (Russia) - Russians Now Drink Less, Live Longer: WHO
The life expectancy of Russian citizens has improved thanks to reducing alcohol consumption, a World Health Organization (WHO) report has indicated.
docwire - Smoking and Drinking Appear to Impact Survival for Oral Cancer
Patients with oral cancer who smoke and drank had higher all‐cause mortality and oral cancer‐specific mortality compared with patients with oral cancer who did not drink or smoke, according to a study published in Head & Neck.
Nature.com - Skipping alcohol is good for a heart that skips beats
Swearing off alcohol in the new year can be a way to recover from holiday indulgence. But for people who suffer from a common and risky type of heart problem, giving up booze might be a life-saving resolution.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Alcohol News - 6/2020


ERR News (Estonia) - Study: Estonian school children drinking less alcohol
Surveys of Estonian schoolchildren show alcohol consumption increased in the 1990s, remained stable in the early 2000s and has begun to decline since 2003, a University of Tartu student's master thesis shows.
The Sydney Morning Herald - Why older women don't think the alcohol guidelines apply to them
Older women are drinking at risky levels and don’t feel the alcohol guidelines apply to them, a new study reveals. Previous research has found "risky drinking" among older Australian adults is on the rise. The new study set out to explore why.
Forbes - Alcohol Ads On Social Media Could Encourage Underage Drinking
New research has found that social media could be sending out positive messaging about alcohol use – and that increased use of social media by just one hour a day resulted in an a 0.45 unit upsurge in the frequency of alcohol consumption among teenage students in the 7th to 11th grades.
NDTV Food - Alcohol Use Disorder In Parents May Affect Brain Functioning In Children; Says Study
A new research confirmed that if the parents suffered from alcohol use disorder, it could negatively impact the children's brain transitions.
ScienceBlog.com - Helpful Behaviors May Increase Alcohol Abuse In Those With Previous Dependence
Past research has long established that co-dependency and enabling behaviors are detrimental, but a new study from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln suggests well-intentioned, healthy support from an intimate partner can be counterproductive when not guided by a professional counseling process.
Isle of Wight Radio (Isle of Wight) - 80 Per Cent Rise In Alcohol Related Hospital Admissions On The Isle Of Wight
The Isle of Wight has seen an 80 per cent rise in the number of people admitted to hospital due to alcohol in the last seven years.
Movendi (WHO) - WHO: Countries Request Accelerated Action on Alcohol
A decision unanimously adopted at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting calls the global alcohol burden a “public health priority”. In the decision, countries request “accelerated action” on alcohol harm.
Gillings School News - Researchers find little progress on alcohol policy globally, call for stronger approach
Alcohol causes three million deaths per year worldwide. Almost ten years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a voluntary global strategy for reducing harmful use of alcohol. However, a new analysis by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Boston University reports that few countries have adopted effective measures to decrease alcohol consumption.
EurekAlert - Fewer liquor stores may lead to less homicide
Reducing the number of businesses in Baltimore that sell alcohol in urban residential areas may lower the homicide rate, according to new research.
ARG - ALCOHOL POLICIES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE FOR SOME GROUPS THAN OTHERS
Increasing taxes on specific types of alcohol and implementing policies that reduce its availability have differing effects on specific subgroups according to a new study from ARG biostatistician Meenakshi Sabina Subbaraman and colleagues.
The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Alcohol and health: time for an overdue conversation
According to a new report from the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 944 880 people aged 16 years or older in the USA died from alcohol-related causes between 1999 and 2017. During this period, the age-adjusted death rate from alcohol increased from 16·9 to 25·5 per 100 000; nearly a third of alcohol-related deaths were from liver disease.
​Cancer To​​day - Drinking After a Diagnosis
INCREASINGLY, studies point to risks posed by alcohol to people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Drinking may be associated with worsened cancer-related outcomes, such as recurrence or death, although this research is in its early stages.

Sunday, February 9, 2020

FASD News - 5/2020

EurekAlert - Self-care linked to greater confidence in parents of children with FASD
Children diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)--caused by prenatal alcohol exposure--often face lifelong developmental, cognitive and behavioral problems.
ABC News (Australia) - Health experts warn Aussie drinking culture is causing hidden epidemic in children
Fetal alcohol specialists on the Sunshine Coast say the syndrome has become a hidden epidemic, with the number of children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure now believed to outnumber those diagnosed with autism and cerebral palsy.
CBC.ca (Canada) - Advocates seek more support for people struggling with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Vicky Morinville's daughter has been called lazy and difficult because she was born with a disability that's largely misunderstood and hard to diagnose.
The Kingston Whig-Standard (Canada) – Wynne revives Kiwala´s fetal alcohol disorder bill
A piece of legislation championed by former Kingston and the Islands MPP Sophie Kiwala is to get a second chance at Queen’s Park.
Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand) - People with brain injuries, developmental issues 'over-represented' in justice system
New Zealand's justice system is not set up for the high proportion of prisoners living with brain injuries and learning difficulties, potentially keeping them in the system and hampering rehabilitation, a report has found.
Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor (New Zealand) - What were they thinking? A discussion paper on brain and behaviour in relation to the justice system in New Zealand
Like all good trilogies, Ian Lambie’s series of three discussion papers exploring factors that have led Aotearoa New Zealand to have a high incarceration rate has turned out to have a fourth part.
East London and West Essex Guardian Series (UK) - Study reiterates call to avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy leads to poorer cognitive functioning in children, according to scientists.
Telegraph.co.uk (UK) - The inconvenient truth about drinking while pregnant
When I first became pregnant over ten years ago I was given a long list of health advice: don’t eat sushi, soft cheese or rare steak; don’t sleep on your back; stick to one coffee a day, and just one or two glasses of wine a week.
Edmonton and area Fetal Alcohol Network - CANFASD: LET’S TALK ABOUT FASD AND MENTAL HEALTH
Bell Let’s Talk launched in 2010 as a campaign to build understanding and catalyze action on mental health. The campaign has grown over the last 10 years and has been extremely influential in raising Canadians’ awareness of mental health.

VIDEOS and MATERIALS
IOGT-NTO (Sweden) - Alcohol, pregnancy and infant health – a shared responsibility
Alcohol, pregnancy and infant health – a shared responsibility, is a new report from the IOGT-NTO in collaboration with CERA at the University of Gothenburg, the Swedish Society of Nursing, the Swedish Association of General Practice and the SAFF Foundation.
American Addiction Centers - Dangers of Drinking Alcohol While Pregnant
A leading nationwide provider of substance abuse treatment, American Addiction Centers treats clients struggling with drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and mental health/behavioral health issues.
Concept Clear - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome | Risks, Pathology, Clinical Presentation and Treatment
In this lecture, we discuss the Risks, Pathology, Clinical Presentation and Treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Susan Wendel – FASD
Please complete a short evaluation after viewing the video.

RESEARCH
The Lancet. Neurology - Diagnosis, epidemiology, assessment, pathophysiology, and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) frequently causes neurodevelopmental disorder, yet fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are often undiagnosed. Global prevalence rates of 0.77% for FASD and European / North American rates of 2–5% highlight the need for neurologists to engage in identification, assessment, and treatment of this preventable disorder.
Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability - Preliminary psychometric analysis of a neurobehavioural screening tool for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Results provide preliminary evidence that the NBST has adequate psychometric properties and may be a useful adjunctive screening tool for the medical diagnosis of FASD.
Logopedia Silesiana - Phoneme Analysis Ability in Children with the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Studies on FAS children show that only twenty per cent of sixyear- olds and fifty per cent of ten-year-olds can manage the task of phoneme operations. It is a natural consequence of the problems with memorising sounds and the linear order of words.
Research in Developmental Disabilities - Self-care in caregivers of children with FASD: How do caregivers care for themselves, and what are the benefits and obstacles for doing so?
Caregivers use a variety of strategies and face significant obstacles in self-care. Confidence in self-care may be associated with lower stress and greater satisfaction in the parenting role.
motheriskinternational.com - Meconium Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEE);A Biomarker for Quantifying Fetal Alcohol Exposure
How can clinicians know if a baby was seriously exposed to alcohol in pregnancy? This is critical to diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
motheriskinternational.com - Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
I am working in a center for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. I have heard that hyperbaric chamber treatment may improve these children’s neurobehavioral achievements. Is this true?
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Health Needs Assessment in Brazil
The results of the current study indicate that FAS and FASD are prevalent disorders in Brazil, and more policies targeting alcohol intake during pregnancy must be developed.
Frontiers in Neuroscience - Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Leads to Attention Deficits in Both Male and Female Rats
We show that the binge drinking pattern of PE led to attention deficits in both sexes of rats even though no major teratogenic effects were observed. Therefore, this rodent model can be used to study neural mechanisms underlying attention deficits caused by PE and to explore effective intervention approaches for FASD.
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research - Use of Cannabis in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
In children and young adults with FASD, cannabis, mostly cannabidiol (CBD), has been associated with a marked and statistically significant improvement in serious disruptive behavior. These cases suggest that the efficacy and safety of CBD should be tested in well-controlled studies.
Neuroscience - Unisensory and Multisensory Responses in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): Effects of Spatial Congruence
While it is generally accepted that structural and functional brain deficits underlie the behavioral deficits associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), the degree to which these problems are expressed in sensory pathology is unknown.
Journal of Biophotonics - In vivo hemodynamic imaging of acute prenatal ethanol exposure in fetal brain by photoacoustic tomography
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) can lead to structural and functional abnormalities in fetal brain. Although neural developmental deficits due to PEE have been recognized, the immediate effects of PEE on fetal brain vasculature and hemodynamics remain poorly understood.
International journal of Epidemiology - Evidence of detrimental effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on offspring birthweight and neurodevelopment from a systematic review of quasi-experimental studies.
Systematic reviews of prenatal alcohol exposure effects generally only include conventional observational studies. However, estimates from such studies are prone to confounding and other biases.
Journal of Neuroinflammation - Immune network dysregulation associated with child neurodevelopmental delay: modulatory role of prenatal alcohol exposure
Taken together, this comprehensive assessment of immune markers allowed for the identification of unique immune milieus that are associated with alcohol exposure as well as both alcohol-related and alcohol-independent neurodevelopmental delay.
Advances in Nutrition - Docosahexaenoic Acid: Outlining the Therapeutic Nutrient Potential to Combat the Prenatal Alcohol-Induced Insults on Brain Development
This review will discuss the current evidence for the beneficial role of DHA in protecting against neuronal damage and its potential in mitigating the teratogenic effects of alcohol.
The Anatomical Record - Moderate prenatal ethanol exposure in the rat promotes kidney cell apoptosis, nephron deficits, and sex‐specific kidney dysfunction in adult offspring
Although the impact on adult kidney function was relatively minor, these data highlight that even at moderate levels, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have deleterious long‐term outcomes and should be avoided.
Public Health Report - Paternal Involvement and Maternal Perinatal Behaviors: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2012-2015
Use of information on the AOP in addition to marital status provides a better understanding of factors that affect maternal behaviors.
J Public Health Manag Pract. - Variations by Education Status in Relationships Between Alcohol/Pregnancy Policies and Birth Outcomes and Prenatal Care Utilization: A Legal Epidemiology Study.
Effects of alcohol/pregnancy policies on birth outcomes and prenatal care use vary by education status, with women with more education typically experiencing health harms and women with less education either not experiencing the harms or experiencing health benefits.

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
20 Minuten (Germany) - 2000 Kinder sind krank, weil Mutter getrunken hat
Der Kopf ist klein, die Oberlippen sind schmal und die Lidspalten sind kurz. Eine verminderte Intelligenz und starke Verhaltensauffälligkeiten sind weitere Spuren, die der Alkohol im Mutterleib beim Nachwuchs hinterlassen hat. Bis zu 425 Kinder werden pro Jahr mit einem fetalen Alkoholsyndrom (FAS) geboren, wie die «Aargauer Zeitung» schreibt.
Wochenblatt-Reporter (Germany) - Interaktive Ausstellung ZERO
Was passiert mit einem Fötus, wenn Alkohol über die Plazenta in seinem winzigen Körper ankommt?
Ticinonline (Italy) - Duemila neonati all'anno con disturbi dovuti al consumo di alcol
Hanno la testa piccola, un labbro superiore sottile e la palpebra corta. E presentano un deficit intellettivo e problemi comportamentali.

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Alcohol News - 5/2020

News-Medical.net (UK) - NHS reveals record-breaking number of alcohol-related hospital admissions
The NHS has today revealed that in 2018, a staggering 1.3million people were admitted to hospital because of alcohol, a figure that represents 7.4% of all hospital admissions across the country.
The New York Times (USA) - What Does It Mean to Have a Serious Drinking Problem?
One day in the fall of 2018, I woke up feeling wrecked. The night before I’d had beers with colleagues and wound up braying loudly to one of them about something she’d confided and what I thought she should do.
INSIDER - Drinking alcohol every day can speed up brain aging by one week per session, according to a study of more than 17,000 people
Over time, drinking a little bit more alcohol than recommended could accelerate the brain's aging process, according to a new study.
Healthline - Study Finds That No Amount of Alcohol Is Safe During Pregnancy
For expectant parents, few issues have the ability to cause controversy like consuming alcohol while pregnant. While women in the United States have been warned to avoid all alcohol during pregnancy, some research has found that small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy may be safe.
Financial Times (France) - Paris puts alcohol-free drinks at the centre of cocktail week
On Friday night, 16 people lined up around a long wooden table laden with metal shakers, buckets of ice, lemon, and other ingredients, ready to listen to a bartender give a cocktail-making class.
Bloomberg (USA) - The Dry January Conversation No One Is Having
A month of sobriety can be a valuable opportunity to examine a relationship with drinking. Unfortunately, these 31 days are one of only a few times in the year when there is national attention directed at alcohol use, even as it continues to be a significant public health issue.
TVNZ (New Zealand) - Alcohol exposure in NZ supermarkets 'like advertising candy' to children, researcher says
There's room for improvement in how alcohol is sold in New Zealand's supermarkets, including potentially moving wine and beer away from busy areas, Victoria University research suggests.
Prague Morning (Czechia) - One in Seven Czech Adults is an Alcoholic, Study Says
The average Czech drinks 14.4 liters of pure alcohol a year, which is twice as much as the global average with Czech men consuming four times more alcohol than women, according to a poll conducted by leading research agency MEDIAN for the Ministry of Health.
TheMayorEU (Brussels) - No drinking of alcohol in pedestrian zones of Brussels as of today
As of today, 1st February, drinking alcohol in the public spaces belonging to the pedestrian zone of Brussels is prohibited throughout the night. In effect between midnight and 6 a.m. the ban will be enforced for six months - until the beginning of August 2020.
The Brussels Times (Belgium) - Belgium’s alcohol-free ‘Tournée Minérale’ month starts 1 February
The fourth edition of ‘Tournée Minérale’, an initiative to go the entire month of February without alcohol, will start on Saturday.
Wall Street Journal - Booze Ads on Social Media Stir Controversy
Health concerns are sparking restrictions on advertising alcohol on billboards and television, but on social media—which transcends national borders—lax age controls and the use of influencers make booze marketing hard to police.
Yahoo Finance - Alcohol advertisements might be banned from social media
Alcohol ads stir up controversy after a study shows alcohol ads are being viewed by children under the age of 21. Yahoo Finance’s On The Move panel discusses.
Thrive Global - What Happens To A Child In An Alcoholic Family?
Last week a wonderful family called me. They were worried about their little boy. Both parents were in recovery and had grown up in alcoholic families. They were concerned about their child. He was 7 and every night he awoke with terrors of days gone by. Time was when he lived with his natural father who had been active in addiction.
Basis Online - Super Bowl swigs: Applying social practice theory to alcohol consumption
Some things just go hand in hand: peanut butter and jelly, birthdays and cake, football and beer. In fact, It’s very difficult to imagine attending a Super Bowl party that has no beer. But why is that?
Global Legal Monitor - Uruguay: Law Regulating Alcohol Consumption Enacted
On January 8, 2020, Law No. 19855 regulating the consumption of alcoholic beverages was published in Uruguay’s official gazette. The new Law aims to manage the risks and prevent the harm resulting from the “problematic consumption” of alcoholic beverages. Additionally, it adopts measures to protect and ensure the rights, comprehensive well-being, and health of people in the country.
BU School of Public Health - Little Progress on Alcohol Policy Globally
A new analysis led by a School of Public Health researcher finds that few countries have adopted effective measures to reduce alcohol consumption, and that alcohol continues as the seventh leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and the leading cause for people 15­–49 years old.
IOGT-NTO (Sweden) - Alcohol, pregnancy and infant health – a shared responsibility
Of all the lifestyle choices we make in conjunction with pregnancy, none are of greater importance to the child’s future health and development than the ones we make in relation to alcohol.
Irish Cancer Society - Cancers for which alcohol is a risk factor
Alcohol is a major risk factor for certain head and neck cancers, particularly mouth cancer, throat cancer and cancer of the larynx (voicebox).
ADF - Alcohol and bowel cancer: common companions
Alcohol causes, or increases the risk of, different cancers including breast, pancreatic, throat, mouth and bowel cancer. In Australia, it is estimated that 3,208 cancer diagnoses in 2010 were attributable to alcohol.