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Thursday, July 30, 2020

Alcohol News - 30/2020

Car Advice (Russia) - Authorities in Russia are considering mandating breath-testing interlocks on all new cars
Russian authorities are considering making it compulsory for all new cars sold there to be equipped with alcohol breath test “interlock” devices – whether or not the buyer has a history of drink driving.
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News Medical (UK) - England's working economy is being killed by alcohol
Almost a fifth of working years of life lost in England in 2018 were due to alcohol consumption, overtaking working years lost to Cancer, the latest data from Public Health England (PHE) shows.
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Washington Post - These countries are banning alcohol or closing bars in response to coronavirus surges
In the United States and around the world, bars and other establishments that serve or sell alcohol have become a focus of efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Public health experts say drinking, especially in crowds, is not conducive to social distancing.
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Croakey (Australia) - Mandatory pregnancy warning labels on alcohol: the first step to generic health warnings
When Michael Thorn began a new job as Chief Executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) in 2011, one of the first reports to come across his desk recommended that alcohol products should carry a mandatory warning label about the risks of drinking in pregnancy.
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RTE.ie (Ireland) - Rise in number of people seeking treatment for serious alcohol abuse
Alcohol remains the most common drug requiring addiction treatment in Ireland, according to a report from the Health Research Board (HRB).
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The Drinks Business (UK) - UK GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES CONSULTATION ON CALORIE LABELLING FOR ALCOHOL
The UK government has announced it will consider whether or not to enforce calorie labelling on alcohol products in an effort to tackle the country’s obesity problem.
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Belfast Telegraph (Northern Ireland) - Minimum alcohol pricing for Northern Ireland consultation to begin this year
Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Robin Swann has committed to a public consultation on the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol.
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ERR News (Estonia) - Tallinn's late night alcohol restrictions likely to be delayed until 2021
The City of Tallinn's plan to restrict nighttime alcohol sales in entertainment establishments is likely to be postponed until next year. Discussions have been delayed in the council due to the coronavirus, ETV's "Aktuaalne kaamera" reported.
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Health Day - Alcohol and Arrhythmia a Deadly Mix
Alcohol abuse is associated with an increased the risk of death in people with abnormal heart rhythms, a new study warns.
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Dutch News (Netherlands) - Amsterdam bans sales of alcohol at weekends in busy tourist areas
Alcohol sales are being restricted at weekends in one of Amsterdam’s busiest tourist areas as part of a package of stricter coronavirus measures in the capital.
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UPI.com - Alcohol abuse increases death risk after hospitalization for arrhythmia
Younger adults who abuse alcohol are nearly 75% more likely to die after being hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat than those drinking moderately or not at all, according to study data announced Monday.
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Mirage News (Australia) - Older Australians drinking more heavily
Many older Australians are drinking at risky levels, and the wealthy are drinking more than most, according to new research from La Trobe University.
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Alcohol Change UK (UK) - Want a healthier UK? Alcohol policy must be part of the recipe
The Government has announced a new plan to tackle obesity, and has included alcohol in their strategy - but if they're serious about our health, there's much more to do.
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Alcohol Awareness - Shaun Micallef on alcohol and cancer
Cancer Council´s CEO, Professor Sanchia Aranda AM, sat down with Shaun Micallef, award-winning comedian and creator of the ABC TV & iview documentary series On The Sauce to discuss alcohol and cancer.
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Thursday, July 23, 2020

Alcohol News - 29/2020

Notes from Poland (Poland) - MPs propose changing communist-era alcohol law to allow online sales in Poland
Poland’s parliament is to debate a bill proposing to make it legal for companies to sell alcohol online and deliver it to customers.
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The Sidney Morning Herald (Australia) - My month off alcohol turned into two-and-a-half years
When I quit drinking, it was like I’d broken a spell. But the spell wasn’t cast by alcohol. My addiction wasn’t to booze but to people's favourable opinion of me.
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Malay Mail (Malaysia) - Putrajaya sees need to review alcohol sales in grocery stores across Malaysia
he Housing and Local Government Ministry said today it agreed there was a need to review the sale of alcoholic beverages in grocery stores throughout the country.
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CTV News (Canada) - Sweet drinks a 'gateway' to more alcohol consumption, University of Guelph study finds
A new study from the University of Guelph shows sweet drinks, like wine coolers, could pave the way for increased alcohol consumption.
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Cape Town ETC (South Africa) - Government backtracks on cigarette and alcohol ban announcement tweet
Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, a Tweet from the South African Government’s official account said the sale of alcohol and tobacco will remain banned for the duration of lockdown. Since then, an official apology has been published via the account, saying it was a “mistake”.
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Fox News (USA) - Miami Beach mayor wants to ban alcohol sales after midnight, rebrand city's party scene
Mayor Dan Gelber, D-Fla., is taking drastic steps to clean up Miami Beach, and it could include the restriction of alcohol sales after midnight.
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Technology Networks - The Brain’s Immune Cells May Promote Alcohol Addiction
The activation of the immune system could eventually perpetuate some of the deleterious effects of alcohol, like addiction. This is the conclusion of research carried out by an international team led by Dr. Santiago Canals, from the Institute of Neurosciences in Alicante (Spain), a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council and the University Miguel Hernández in Elche, and Dr. Wolfgang Sommer, from the Central Institute of Mental Health of the University of Heidelberg (Germany).
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WZTV (USA) - 1 in 4 Tennesseans recently unemployed turning to more alcohol, study says
American Addiction Centers conducted a study of 3,000 people to find out how they're dealing with the economic toll of the pandemic, specifically in relation to unemployment.
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The Sidney Morning Herald (Australia) - Ministers approve mandatory alcohol pregnancy warning label
Alcohol bottles will display a prominent warning label outlining the dangers of drinking while pregnant, after politicians voted to make the new label mandatory.
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The Standard (Kenya) - Director of Public Health speaks on notice addressing ban on alcohol consumption
Public Health Director Dr Francis Kuria on Tuesday refused to be drawn into a notice on the ban on alcohol consumption in public.
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Seattle Times (USA) - Alcohol during the pandemic: Study breaks down who’s drinking more, and how much
As the coronavirus pandemic stretches into the year, more adults are drinking to cope, and alcohol sales have surged across the country, a new study says.
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Croakey (Australia) - Celebrating a hard-fought victory in the campaign to reduce alcohol-related härm
Health leaders are celebrating victory in a long, hard-fought campaign for clearly visible pregnancy warning labels on alcohol, following a decision on Friday by representatives of the Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation that the label below should be implemented within three years.
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VICE (Australia) - Australia Is Seeing an Uptick in Alcohol-Related Hospital Admissions as States Reopen
People in parts of Australia are emerging from lockdown with a lowered tolerance to alcohol, according to police, leading to an increase in hospital admissions.
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Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) - One in five Kiwis are drinking at potentially dangerous levels
New research has revealed one in five New Zealanders are drinking alcohol dangerously. A paper published by the New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) looked into New Zealand's hazardous drinking and how often they visited a doctor.
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Daily Mail (UK) - Health fears as lockdown leads to unprecedented surge in alcohol problems... with four in ten households drinking more than before
Experts said many parents have increased the amount they drink to cope with the stresses of childcare and home-schooling since March.
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Cancer Council (Australia) - Alcohol and cancer – Position Statement
Alcohol is a known risk factor for cancer. Heavy alcohol use can also cause short- and long-term health problems such as cirrhosis of the liver, alcohol dependence, strokes, suicide, injury and car accidents.
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The Connaught Telegraph (Ireland) - Reducing alcohol consumption – 3 reasons why it matters
Alcohol may have become more of a part of people’s lives in recent months. With the restrictions in place drinking from home has become much more prevalent.
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University of Colorado Cancer Center - Alcohol and Cancer Risk
The American Cancer Society recently updated its recommendation from limiting alcohol to avoiding alcohol altogether to reduce cancer risk. Here, the University of Colorado Cancer Center discusses this update with Valaree Williams, MS, RD, CSO, CNSC, FAND, lead dietician from the Oncology Supportive Services at UCHealth.
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Thursday, July 16, 2020

Alcohol News - 28/2020

WHO Europe (Baltics) - New research grant will help to find best practices of tackling alcohol consumption in the Baltics
A new international project "Evaluation of the impact of alcohol control policies on morbidity and mortality in Lithuania and other Baltic states" funded by the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has been launched to investigate the effects of alcohol market regulations implemented in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
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NBC News (USA) - Men should limit alcohol to 1 drink a day, new report advises
If you decide to have an alcoholic drink, limiting yourself to one a day is best — whether you’re a man or woman.
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Voice of America - Researchers Find Clue to How Alcohol Interacts With Brain
Researchers believe they have identified the area of the brain that determines a preference for alcohol, perhaps the first step in an eventual treatment for alcoholism.
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Oxford Observer (USA) - Alcohol use increases as pandemic and unrest continue
The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by economic fallout and businesses across the country struggling to stay afloat. But for companies selling alcoholic beverages, sales have jumped since the pandemic.
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The Sidney Morning Herald (Australia) - Young Australians give drugs and alcohol a miss, vaping on the rise
Young Australians are turning away from alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, consuming them less than their parents' generation in a trend that has public health experts baffled.
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BBC News (South Africa) - Coronavirus: South Africans divided over second alcohol ban
The reintroduction of a ban on the sale of alcohol in order to help curb the spread of coronavirus has divided South Africans.
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ABC News (Australia) - Australia's social justice commissioner links alcohol label reform to closing the gap
Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner, June Oscar, has written to the Ministerial Forum of Food Regulation urging the body to implement stronger pregnancy warnings on alcoholic beverages.
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The Peak - How I became less apprehensive about alcohol on my own time
I had my first drink at 19. Not my first legal drink, no, my first drink ever. This may seem odd to the majority of regularly drinking university students. How could you not have tasted the sweet, numbing nectar of the brewing gods before that age?
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News-Medical.net - People in affluent neighborhoods drink alcohol more frequently, study finds
People in wealthier neighborhoods drink alcohol twice as frequently as people in poorer areas, suggests a new study from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.
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Science Blog - COVID-19 means long stretch of stormy weather for people with alcohol and substance use disorders
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created an environment that is particularly problematic for individuals with alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD), according to physician scientists at the National Institutes of Health.
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Extra.ie (Ireland) - Lowering VAT on alcohol trade ‘especially irrational’, warns advocacy group
Lowering VAT on alcohol trade to boost business would be ‘especially irrational’ and could cause harm to public health measures, an advocacy group has warned.
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Independent Online (South Africa) - Nurses at the frontline of Covid-19 welcome booze ban
Nurses and South Africans Against Drink Driving (SADD) have reacted with jubilation after President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended the sale, dispensing and distribution of alcohol with immediate effect on Sunday night.
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The Conversation (Australia) - Australia has some of the highest rates of drinking during pregnancy. It’s time to make labelling mandatory
State and federal minsters involved in the Forum on Food Regulation will tomorrow vote on whether or not to introduce mandatory alcohol pregnancy warning labels in Australia and New Zealand.
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News in 5 (South Africa) - Stab wounds dropped from 974 to 360 in the Western Cape when alcohol was first ban
On Tuesday, the report compiled by the Western Cape health department was made public by the national Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize.
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Sunday, July 12, 2020

FASD News - 27/2020

FASDNordic – FASD Nordic focuses on alcohol and drug-related birth defects
Welcome to FASD Nordic! This is a platform for sharing information, research and experiences between the Nordic countries, about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, FASD, and other drug-related birth defects.
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FAREAustralia (Australia) - Call on your local politician to support a clear, visible and honest health warning on alcohol products
We only have a few days left — get in touch with your local MP today to ask them to contact the Food Forum Ministers on your behalf to request they support the evidence-based health warning.
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Canada Newswire (Canada) - New National Campaign Explains That Drinking Alcohol and Baby-Making Don't Mix
Tomorrow, the Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network (CanFASD) will launch its first-ever national social media campaign. The eight-week campaign will shed light on the risk of using alcohol to cope with the stress, anxiety and boredom of the COVID-19 pandemic and inadvertently having an alcohol-exposed pregnancy.
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Mamamia - 'I have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This is what I wish people knew.'
"It's a struggle every day just maintaining my routine and health. For example, I have sensory issues, so if you're talking quite loudly around me I'm likely to get overwhelmed and my ability to process information can be quite shaky.“
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Mirage News (Australia) - Ministers urged to approve effective pregnancy health warning on alcohol labels
Food safety Ministers are being urged to put the health and wellbeing of families and communities first by approving the most effective pregnancy health warning label on alcohol products when they meet next month.
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ABC News (Australia) - Woman living with FASD joins nationals calls for stronger pregnancy warnings on alcohol labels
As a Senate inquiry continues to looks into the prevention and treatment of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, calls are intensifying for the Federal Government to adopt stronger pregnancy warnings on alcohol labels.
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Lake88.1 (Canada) - In Focus – Tues June 30, 2020 – Rob More of the Rural FASD Network
Rob More of the Rural FASD Network joins us to talk about how his group has continued to help local young people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder during the pandemic.
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Scoop (New Zealand) - Alcohol Health Warning Label Vote Imminent
A pregnancy health warning label on alcohol will be voted on by Ministers of the Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum for Food Regulation (The Forum) on 17 July says Dr Nicki Jackson, Executive Director of Alcohol Healthwatch.
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The Sidney Morning Herald (Australia) - 'Proven ineffective': Doctors urge stronger alcohol pregnancy warning labels
Professor Wilson said the alcohol industry's voluntary DrinkWise labelling scheme, which had been in place for eight years, had proven to be ineffective, with many alcohol products on the market failing to carry the warning label.
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Stuff (New Zealand) - Man with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder committed armed robbery to 'fit in'
A young man with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder robbed an Auckland bakery to feel accepted and fit in with gang member friends, a court has heard.
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Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) - Fears FASD cases will increase
A University of Otago researcher fears increased alcohol purchases during the Covid-19 lockdown may result in more babies being born with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) next year.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
MBSEI Toolkit - Identify substance-exposed newborns
Substance use disorder (SUD) during pregnancy—whether involving illicit, legal, or prescription drugs—is an issue critical to the health of mothers and newborns, and the incidence is increasing in all socioeconomic groups.  The examples included below demonstrate the multitude of exposures for mothers, fetuses, and newborns for which appropriate screening (verbal, written), or biologic testing exist.
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CanFASD - Think FASD Alcohol and Pregnancy Awareness Video
Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant is risky. Go alcohol-free if you are pregnant and reduce the risk of FASD. THINKFASD.CA
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Aubrey Page – I´m an Educator
Educating communities about the impact that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders have on society and partnering with families to help them be successful.
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Olelo Community Media - Giving Voice - Hawai'i FASD Action Group
The Hawai'i FASD Action Group is one of the community organizations on O'ahu that participated in 'Ōlelo's Giving Voice PSA service. Here is their story.
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IFSW 2020 Conference - The FASD Prevention Conversation It’s Time to Talk About Alcohol & Pregnancy Megan
The topic of FASD prevention is difficult to educate people about because there is so much misunderstanding and stigma around alcohol and pregnancy. The FASD Prevention Conversation aims.
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JumpStartPsychology 1 - FASD Ability Wheel 2020
The FASD Ability Wheel is a one page resource designed to help parents and carers quickly and accurately communicate their child's functioning in 11 brain domains!
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Life Beyond Trauma - Life Beyond Trauma: 1-on-1 e-NET for Parents of Neurodiverse Children
Have you experienced traumatic situations with your neurodiverse child? Have you experienced Posttraumatic Stress, e.g. disturbing memories of traumatic situations with your neurodiverse child?
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Families Facing COVID-19 - the impact of the pandemic on neurodiverse children, youth, and adults and their caregivers
Caregivers of people with developmental disabilities, such as autism and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, we want to hear from you!
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RESEARCH
University of Washington - What proportion of the brain structural and functional abnormalities observed among children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is explained by their prenatal alcohol exposure and their other prenatal and postnatal risks?
A better understanding of the impact other prenatal and postnatal risk factors have on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of individuals with FASD can inform more effective prevention and intervention strategies.
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British Journal of Ophthalmology - Thinner retinal nerve fibre layer in young adults with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Significant differences in peripapillary and macular RNFL, retinal thickness and BCVA were found in this group of young adults with FASD compared with healthy controls. However, there were no differences in the size of the optic disc.
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Acta Paediatrica - Is foetal alcohol syndrome in children as old as alcohol consumption?
Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the leading cause of preventable intellectual disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization,1 and the true prevalence is almost certainly underestimated. As long as alcohol is present in our everyday lives, FAS will continue to challenge families, communities and countries.
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University of South Dakota - Consequences of In Utero Exposure to Alcohol
In utero exposure to alcohol results in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which encompasses a range of developmental disorders.
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Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology - Relationship Between Task-Based and Parent Report-Based Measures of Attention and Executive Function in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
These findings suggest that within-task performance differences may more accurately reflect individual differences in executive function and temperament as measured by parental report and help to further inform the way in which cognitive processes are measured in children with FASD.
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International Journal of Qualitative Methods - Learning From Vulnerable Populations: Methodological Implications of Interviewing Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Scholars face methodological challenges when conducting research about vulnerable populations, such as individuals living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
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American Journal of Nursing - Addressing Alcohol Use in Pregnancy
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can influence fetal development, causing lifelong behavioral, intellectual, and physical impairments known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)—fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) being the most severe type.
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Acta Paediatrica - Systematic review showed that low and moderate prenatal alcohol and nicotine exposure affected early child development
Any amount of prenatal alcohol and nicotine exposure appeared to risk healthy child development. There were many reasons for consumption and numerous effects on the child, but representative data from interdisciplinary research were missing.
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SSM - Population Health - Prenatal substance exposure, adverse childhood experiences and diagnosed mental and behavioral disorders – A longitudinal register-based matched cohort study in Finland
The results suggest that PSE alone does not explain poorer mental health among exposed youth. Risk factors accumulate, and low birth weight and ACEs are strongly associated with increased risk of mental and behavioral disorders.
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Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry - Unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in alcohol intake and withdrawal in adolescent mice exposed to alcohol during early life stages
The current study highlights that early alcohol exposed mice increased alcohol consumption during late adolescence.
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Alcohol Research: Current Reviews - Maternal Substance Use: Consequences, Identification, and Interventions
Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are the substances most frequently used during pregnancy, and opioid-exposed pregnancies have increased fourfold. The purpose of this review is to describe the prevalence and consequences of prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and opioids.
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Birth Defects Research - Prenatal alcohol exposure induced congenital heart diseases: From bench to bedside
Alcohol consumption is increasing worldwide. Many child‐bearing‐aged women consume alcohol during pregnancy, intentionally or unintentionally, thereby increasing the potential risk for severe congenital diseases.
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PsyArxiv Preprints - Alcohol and substance use in pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rates of alcohol and substance use raises significant concerns, as substances may be coping mechanisms for social isolation and/or disruptions to employment and the economy.
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Journal of Addictive Diseases - Gender differences in social harms from drinking among young Australians: findings from the Mater University Study of Pregnancy and its Outcomes
Our findings demonstrate that young adults are still vulnerable to risky drinking at age 30 and the social harm resulting from drinking. Thus, alcohol prevention campaigns should target this age group and include women in their focus.
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Paulista University - Contributions of newborn temperature and height to Apgar index in parturient users of multiple drugs of abuse during pregnancy
At delivery, the height and temperature associated to the Apgar index of a newborn from mothers addicted to drugs can predict more intense care soon after birth, avoiding neonatal losses.
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African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine - The association between intimate partner violence, psychiatric morbidity amongst pregnant women and partner alcohol use in southern Nigeria
Intimate partner violence was common amongst pregnant women in Nigeria. Identified modifiable risk factors can be targets for screening and intervention for women in these settings.
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Women's Health Issues - Pregnant Women's Acceptability of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use Screening and Willingness to Disclose Use in Prenatal Care
Almost all women considered verbal screening for ATOD use during prenatal care acceptable and indicated that they were willing to honestly disclose their ATOD use.
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Infant mental health journal - The prenatal maternal representations of mothers at risk of recurrent care proceedings in the Family Drug and Alcohol Court: A thematic analysis
The results are clinically relevant as they highlight grief, maternal self‐identity, recovery from substance abuse, and ability to manage uncertainty as critical areas of intervention for these mothers.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Gazeta Prawna (Poland) - Zapomniane potomstwo pijących matek. Brakuje systemowej pomocy dla dzieci z FASD
Odpowiedzialność karna ciężarnej pijącej alkohol nie zlikwiduje problemu. Dziecko, które urodzi się z obciążeniami, potrzebuje pomocy.
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Uniklinik RWTH Aachen (Germany) - Warum ist Alkohol in der Schwangerschaft gefährlich?
Der Konsum von Alkohol in der Schwangerschaft kann erheblichen Einfluss auf die Gesundheit des Kindes und dessen Entwicklung haben. Alkohol ist ein Zellgift, das ungehindert über das mütterliche Blut die Plazentaschranke durchdringt und das Ungeborene schwerwiegend und dauerhaft schädigen kann.
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Thursday, July 9, 2020

Alcohol News - 27/2020

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine - How “Mommy Juice” Culture Gives Rise to Alcohol Normalization
From Facebook wine mom memes to coping-with-pandemic Zoom happy hours, it can feel like daily drinking is the norm and a natural part of everyone’s lifestyle. But there’s a dark side to the apparent fun—and it comes to the detriment of women.
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The Hippocratic Post - Drinking post-lockdown: Time to reassess our relationship with alcohol?
With drinking habits changed for thousands of people under lockdown, there are warnings of more excessive alcohol consumption when pubs reopen on July 4.
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Michael West News (Australia) - Health warning: Alcohol industry can cause lifelong harm to your baby
The alcohol industry’s peak lobby group Alcohol Beverages Australia has a powerful ally in the chairman of the ministerial forum on food regulation. Liberal MP Richard Colbeck has put forward similar arguments to the ABA to delay the adoption of stronger health warnings. Food ministers are due to vote next week on the issue, writes Luke Stacey.
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BMC Blogs Network (UK) - “Want a Drink? Go on, you know you want to.” – Peer pressure to drink alcohol among UK adults
With pubs reopening in England this last weekend after a three-month lockdown, people have rushed to town centers for their social night out. Feeling pressured to have that drink?
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Reuters (Thailand) - Thailand to ban online alcohol sales to curb underage drinking
Thailand said on Thursday it would prohibit online sales of alcohol in a clampdown on underage drinking after a rise in sales during the coronavirus outbreak.
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Pro Bono Australia (Australia) - Putting away alcohol and raising money for cancer
When Macdonald and a few friends challenged themselves to cut out alcohol for a month over 10 years ago, it never occurred to them that their own personal Dry July would evolve into the wildly successful international campaign it is today.
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Radio Canada International (Canada) - Survey: Pandemic affecting Canadian consumption of alcohol and cannabis
A new study from the Canadian Red Cross has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected cannabis and alcohol consumption by Canadian adults, according to a press release.
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Scoop.co.nz (New Zealand) - Alcohol Health Warning Label Vote Imminent
A pregnancy health warning label on alcohol will be voted on by Ministers of the Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum for Food Regulation (The Forum) on 17 July says Dr Nicki Jackson, Executive Director of Alcohol Healthwatch.
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TimesLIVE (South Africa) - Stop shifting blame to drinkers: lobby groups to alcohol industry
The alcohol industry’s use of “responsible drinking” messages should be challenged as it shifts the blame of irresponsible drinking and its social ills from producers to alcohol users, leading experts on alcohol have said.
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Action Point (New Zealand) - Cost of alcohol to society
In 2019, alcohol contributed $1.074 billion of government revenue in the form of excise tax. In contrast, alcohol misuse is estimated to cost New Zealand society $7.5 billion each year. This includes costs resulting from lost productivity, unemployment, as well as justice, health, ACC, welfare costs, etc.
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Alcohol Action Ireland (Ireland) - PUBLIC SUBSIDY TO AID PUBS AND THE SALE OF ALCOHOL IS AN IRRATIONAL IDEA
Alcohol Action Ireland, the national independent advocate for reducing alcohol harm, has today (9 July) called on the government not to follow the calls from the alcohol industry to reduce alcohol taxes.
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Eurocare - In light of coronavirus pandemic, wine industry gets even more EU funding
European Union after a health pandemic gives even more money to promotion of certain unhealthy products. European Alcohol Policy Alliance is disappointed and strongly condemns European Commission’s decision to give additional package of exceptional measures to support the wine sector, following the coronavirus crisis.
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NordAN - COVID-19 and alcohol – consumption data strengthens case for ambitious alcohol policy
COVID-19 has put health resilience and preparedness at the forefront of every political debate – How ready were we and our health systems to deal with a public health crisis of this scale?
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Thursday, July 2, 2020

Alcohol News - 26/2020

The BMJ (Europe) - Alcohol: WHO tells Europe to raise prices to reduce härm
Higher alcohol taxes, applied more effectively, are needed throughout Europe to reduce harms from problem drinking in a region with the world’s highest alcohol consumption, says the World Health Organization.
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World Health Organization (Europe) - New WHO report on alcohol pricing: Europe ignores cost-effective ways to lower health risks
According to the new WHO/Europe report, “Alcohol pricing in the WHO European Region”, increasing the prices that consumers pay for alcohol is one of the most cost-effective tools available for policy-makers looking to reduce alcohol consumption and associated harm.
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HeraldScotland (Scotland) - WHO praises Scotland's 'promising' minimum alcohol pricing
THE World Health Organisation has praised "robust evidence" for minimum unit pricing on alcohol, but said it must be tied to inflation for the benefits to last.
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Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) - Bid to tackle alcohol-related harm in city after lockdown
A multi-agency action plan to cut alcohol-related harm is ramping up in Christchurch after an increase in drinking believed to be fuelled by Covid-19-induced anxiety, social isolation and job uncertainty.
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RACGP (Australia) - Better pregnancy health labels on alcohol a ‘whole-of-community issue’
Healthcare organisations and individuals around Australia are calling for clear and consistent labelling to expand harm-minimisation strategies.
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Addiction Policy Forum - Understanding Genetic Influences on Problematic Alcohol Use
Psychiatric disorders are among the most common and most commonly ignored illnesses in the world. They affect more than 25% of the population in any given year and are a leading cause of worldwide disability.
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Alcohol Action Ireland - LOWERING ALCOHOL EXCISE DUTY WOULD BE COUNTER TO PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY
Alcohol Action Ireland, the national independent advocate for reducing alcohol harm, has today (30 June) called on the government not to follow the calls to reduce alcohol excise and taxes.
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The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology - Drinking alone: COVID-19, lockdown, and alcohol-related harm
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has, it is frequently said, changed everything. But to appreciate its effects fully, one must not only look at the ways in which clinical services have been reorganised to cope with the flood of patients with COVID-19, or even at the public health measures aimed at flattening the epidemic curve.
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LRT English (Lithuania) - Lithuania lifts ban on alcohol in beaches
Lithuania's parliament, Seimas, backed a proposal to ease restrictions on the sale of alcoholic drinks, allowing beverages with up to 15 percent alcohol to be sold at non-stationary beach cafes.
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The Brussels Times (Belgium) - Belgium sees major rise in alcohol locks on cars
The number of alcohol locks imposed by the Belgian courts has increased significantly in the last two years, judging by figures provided by Federal Mobility Minister François Bellot.
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Alcohol and Alcoholism (Germany) - Did the General Population in Germany Drink More Alcohol during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown?
In his review entitled ‘Are patients with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) at increased risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection?’, Testino (2020) examines the effect of alcohol consumption on the risk for a severe illness in case of infection by the new coronavirus 2019 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)].
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YLE.fi (Finland) - Survey: Finns divided on breaking up Alko wine monopoly
A survey commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) found that half the respondents wanted to see wine sold in grocery stores, and not exclusively by state alcohol monopoly retailer Alko.
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ERR.ee (Estonia) - Significant increase in vodka sales during pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic brought a nearly 1,000 percent increase in vodka sales in Estonia, which can partly be attributed to the lack of sanitizer available at the start of the pandemic and false claims that alcohol would no longer be sold in Estonia.
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