Alcohol News - 39/2023

RTE (Ireland) - Initiative aims to drive policy change around alcohol
Alcohol Action Ireland has launched an initiative to harness the lived experience of people in recovery from alcohol harm to drive policy change.
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Ashburton District Council (New Zealand) - Public feedback prompts changes on draft alcohol policy
Feedback from the community has driven two proposed changes to the district’s Local Alcohol Policy, with a new draft policy now open for submissions.
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The University of Queensland - Problem drinking linked to alcohol on social media
A University of Queensland study highlights a direct link between young people’s exposure to alcohol-related social media content and problem drinking.
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SciTechDaily - Think Twice Before That Next Drink: Alcohol’s Shocking Link to Alzheimer’s
A study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that even modest alcohol consumption can expedite brain atrophy and amplify the formation of amyloid plaques, which are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
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DutchNews.nl (Netherlands) - Dutch teens are wising up to alcohol but still drink too much
The under-18s would appear to be better informed by their parents about the risks attached to drinking alcohol, according to research on behalf of campaign group Gezonde Generatie.
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Medscape - Alcohol Laws Curb Heavy Drinking in Young Women
State laws that ban Sunday liquor sales and impose 0.05-0.08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for driving appear to curb heavy drinking in women aged 18-44 years.
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Hürriyet Daily News (Tyrkie) - Ministry expands ban on alcohol, tobacco sales
The Agriculture and Forestry Ministry has introduced a new amendment, expanding the scope of places where the sale of alcohol and tobacco products will be prohibited.
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Spectrum News (USA) - Police: Alcohol-related driving deaths up nearly 30% in NY
Deaths that occur from alcohol-related traffic crashes are up nearly 30% in the state over the last several years, police said, driving lawmakers to explore how they can reverse the trend and make New York roads safer.
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Euronews (Ireland) - Ireland's alcoholic drinks will have health warning labels by 2026
Ireland will become the first country in the world to impose health labels on alcoholic drinks and it may prompt many European states to follow.
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Global Health Now - Alcohol Taxes Are a Public Health Win-Win
When it comes to alcohol, anyone calling for added oversight is cast as a buzzkill. Alcohol use remains stubbornly rooted as a cultural norm in most of the world, and few recognize it as a public health threat.
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FARE Australia (Australia) - ABS report shows alcohol-induced deaths have increased for a fourth consecutive year
Today, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest available data on the Causes of Death in Australia. The rate of alcohol-induced deaths has increased by 9.1 per cent between 2021 and 2022.
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News.com.au - ‘I blame my heavy drinking for my breast cancer’
I wasn’t honest with anyone about how much alcohol I drank. I didn’t tell my friends, wasn’t honest with my doctor and I was often in denial even to myself.
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NordAN (Norway) - Blue Cross Norway: Urgent need for treatment options for pregnant women with substance addiction
The dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy have been highlighted again as concerns rise regarding fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Every year, on September 9th, the International FASD Day is observed to raise awareness about the perils of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Organisations like Blå Kors (Blue Cross) emphasise the significance of treatment options for expecting mothers who struggle with addiction, particularly as it affects newborns and families.
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Alcohol News - 38/2023

The Conversation - Zero alcohol doesn’t mean zero risk – how marketing and blurred lines can be drinking triggers
The availability and sales of “zero-alcohol” products have soared in recent years. In Australia, these are products containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, designed to mimic the flavour, appearance and packaging of alcoholic drinks.
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The Scottish Government (Scotland) - Alcohol - minimum unit pricing - continuation and future pricing: consultation
We are consulting on whether Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) should be continued as part of the range of policy measures in place to address alcohol related harm, and, in the event of its continuation, the level the minimum unit price should be set going forward.
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Xinhua (Türkiye) - Türkiye expands ban on serving and selling alcohol, tobacco products
Türkiye has expanded the scope of the ban on serving and selling alcohol and tobacco products, the country's official gazette said on Wednesday.
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Irish Examiner (Ireland) - Catherine Conlon: Lobbyists continue to deny the reality of alcohol harm in Ireland
Evidence shows that four people die every day from alcohol-related illness in Ireland, while hundreds of thousands of families are severely impacted by alcohol harm
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The Guardian - ‘Dire need’ for labels on alcohol and ads about unhealthy eating to cut avoidable cancers
Hard-hitting TV campaigns about the dangers of unhealthy eating and labels on alcohol are needed to curb the huge rise in avoidable cancers, charities and health campaigners have warned.
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Neuroscience News - Genetic Link Between Eating Disorders and Alcohol Use Discovered
A comprehensive study of adolescent twins unveils a genetic nexus between disordered eating and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). This correlation underscores worse outcomes, including fatality, especially when these conditions manifest simultaneously in younger teens.
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Iceland Review (Iceland) - Experts Alarmed by Surge in Daily Drinking Rates
According to a physician at the National Centre of Addiction Medicine (SÁÁ), the surge in online alcohol sales poses a concern for public health. Over the past four decades, the daily alcohol consumption rates among patients admitted to the Vogur Detox Centre and Rehabilitation Hospital with alcohol-related issues has more than tripled.
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News24 (South Africa) - Drugs, alcohol and gang violence make Western Cape schools dangerous places for pupils
Pupil safety in the Western Cape is under threat with gang violence, alcohol and drug abuse playing a major role at schools.
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NZ Herald (New Zealand) - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome major issue for Far North – expert
Although 2023 has seen some hard-won changes to curb the destructive effects of alcohol, experts remain adamant that much more is needed as alcohol harm continues to effect Far North folk, with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder a major issue in the region.
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Unity Health Toronto (Canada) - Accidental drug and alcohol-related deaths nearly doubled in Ontario during pandemic
A new report from The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network and Public Health Ontario shows the number of accidental drug and alcohol toxicity-related deaths grew to alarmingly high levels in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Thaiger (Thailand) - Alcohol consumption bans at retirement parties win praise
Two key Thai ministries, the Interior and Education, have gained recognition for their commitment to stamping out alcohol consumption during retirement parties for their staff ending their service after this month.
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popNAD (Sweden) - Alcohol-related problems among youth in Sweden
Compared to before the turn of the millennium, fewer young people now drink alcohol, and fewer also binge drink. This is a trend that has been seen both in Sweden, as well as in many other countries.
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CMAJ (Canada) - “Less is better” is the best message when talking to patients about alcohol
In January 2023, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) published updated guidance on alcohol consumption and health.
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National Cancer Institute - Drinking Alcohol, Often Heavily, Common among People with Cancer and Long-Term Survivors
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of at least seven types of cancers. For people being treated for cancer, regularly consuming a few beers or cocktails also has other potentially harmful consequences, including making their treatments less effective.
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NordAN (Sweden) - New alcohol guidelines in Sweden: No clear safe limit
The National Board of Health and Welfare has recently released its updated guidelines on alcohol consumption, primarily directed towards the healthcare sector. One of the primary insights from the announcement is the assertion that there isn't a specific boundary marking when alcohol consumption becomes entirely risk-free.
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NordAN (Norway) - Lack of health labeling for alcohol: - A betrayal to consumers
New research indicates a sharp increase in cancer cases among the young. Poor diet, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and inactivity are largely blamed.
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FASD News - 37/2023

Government of Northwest Territories (Canada) - September is FASD Awareness Month - Uniting our Strengths: Finding Solutions Together
September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) awareness month, a time dedicated to conversation about FASD, improving prevention, and supporting those living with FASD. The theme for this year’s FASD awareness month is Uniting our Strengths: Finding Solutions Together.
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BC Gov News (Canada) - Minister’s statement on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention and Support Month
People living with disabilities are faced with unique challenges every day, especially those whose disabilities are surrounded by stigma or shame. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability that approximately 40,000 people in B.C. live with each day.
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ABC (Australia) - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is something you need to talk about, Cheryl Dedman says
Cheryl Dedman is passionate about breaking down stigmas around a disorder she knows all too well. She has an adopted relative with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) – a lifelong condition that can impact on people's motor skills, physical health and emotional regulation.
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Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (Australia) - $1.5 million for a new tool used to screen for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
The expansion of a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) screening program will be explored in partnership with community organisations as part of a new National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project.
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Hawaii Public Radio (USA) - State's new Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders law offers hope and awareness to families
Gov. Josh Green recently signed a bill into law that establishes a five-year pilot program to help with the diagnosis and treatment of those with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, or FASD.
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Illuminate Colorado - 10 Ways to Support Families Impacted by FASD
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), an umbrella term used to describe a range of effects that can occur in a fetus exposed to alcohol before birth, is the most commonly known cause of developmental disabilities in the United States.
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CanFASD - Mapping Supports for FASD: The COMPASS Project
At CanFASD, we strive to create evidence-based solutions. Our research team gathers data and evidence to better understand a problem and uses this research to create and test solutions.
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SalfordFASD (UK) - NOVEL APPROACHES FOR IDENTIFICATION OF PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE
SalfordFASD welcomes Human Genetics expert Dr Arijit Mukhopadhyay to the team to help us tackle important research on the detection of prenatal alcohol exposure.
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COMING UP

EUFASD - 7th EUROPEAN FASD ALLIANCE CONFERENCE (22 to 25 September 2024, Madrid, Spain)
https://eufasd2024.com/

FAS Portalen - Ny Fokus FAS-konferens i november (14 november 2023; Stockholm, Sweden)
Konferensen Fokus FAS som arrangerades i början av året blev snabbt fullbokad och alla som var intresserade kunde inte delta. Arrangemanget visade sig bli en stor framgång och i utvärderingen gav deltagarna högsta betyg med kommentarer som “En utmärkt anordnad konferens om ett viktigt ämne där okunskapen är stor” och "Bästa utbildningen på många år!”.
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London & Region FASD Conference 2023 (October 24 & 25, 2023)
Please join us at our fourth annual London & Region FASD Conference 2023. This virtual educational conference connects clinicians, researchers, experts, social and support workers, and the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) community to share current research and resources, facilitate dialogue, and promote advocacy.
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CanFASD - Canada FASD Conference (NOVEMBER 7-9, 2023)
The first ever Canada FASD Conference is happening in November 2023! Join us in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for three days of presentations and events to learn how we can transform evidence into action in the field of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
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FASD Hub Scotland & FASD Hub UK - Wednesday Webinar - Jessica Sinarski (4 October)
Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH is an author, speaker, and instigator of hope. Weaving user-friendly brain science into everything she does, Jessica offers deeply trauma-informed support and education for home, school, and community audiences.
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FASD Hub Scotland & FASD Hub UK - Helping Sleep Happen - (FASD Hub Scotland) (5 October)
Workshop with AUK sleep counsellor and member of FASD Hub who are also experienced adopters, foster & kinship carers about why our children can find it difficult to settle, fall asleep and stay asleep.
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Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance Exposure - Exploring the Neurodiversity of FASD (Wednesday, September 27)
All people are different. We communicate differently, we experience emotions differently, our bodies are shaped differently, we have different hair colors, drive different cars, and live in different houses.
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FASD Hub Scotland & FASD Hub UK - FASD: Insights & Strategies for Professionals (Multiple dates)
This course is suitable for professionals working in the Third Sector, education or working with adoptive, fostering or kinship families. It is not suitable for medical/clinical practitioners.
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FASD Awareness - FASD Awareness in conversation with RJ Formanek (Thursday, 21 September)
Having not received an FASD diagnosis until his late forties, RJ Formanek was startled to find how many of the strategies he had used throughout life were a result of FASD.
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FASD United - International Research Conference on Adolescents and Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Review, Respond and Relate (April 11-14th in Seattle, WA)
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - Deb Evensen: creator of 8 Keys for Adults with FASD
Living with FASD is a human interest and educational show for those living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and the people who support them, by someone with both professional and living experience with an FASD.
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Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - September Challenges: change is in the air
Each Friday in 2023, I will drop another Free Friday Tidbit that will help you understand neurodivergence a little better using a brain-based lens.
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Sip by Sip: Candid Conversations With People Diagnosed as Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
What an incredibly insightful book that speaks from the hearts of a special population of individuals who have been diagnosed as adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)… Patti Kasper has put together an outstanding book.
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Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD – Understanding the Diagnosis
In this ‘In Conversation’ podcast, Sandra Butcher and Rachel Jackson provide insight into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
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CityNews - The invisible disability
We speak to Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Valerie Temple, about an early diagnosis when it comes to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
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eNCA - Raising awareness about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders
Women who drink alcohol while pregnant should face criminal charges. That's the view of Deputy Social Development Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu.
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CapeTalk - Should it be a crime to consume alcohol while pregnant?
Deputy Minister of Social Development Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu has proposed that pregnant women who consume alcohol be criminally charged.
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FASD United (formerly NOFAS) - August 2023 Policy Forum
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Spotlight on FASD - Podcast Season 5 Episode 9 - The UK FASD Manifesto: Part 2
With Dr. Jessica Rutherford.
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FASD United - How can you get involved in FASD@50?
September is a meaningful time to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and to celebrate the strengths, talents, and victories of the estimated one in twenty Americans who have an FASD.
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Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare - FASD ALARMS
Hear from Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Team as they describe ALARMS, the acronym that identifies characteristics of someone living with FASD.
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Dalgarno Institute – World Resiliency Day
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Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare - FASD Testimonial
Hear from Cindy, a client of HDGH's Regional Children's Centre's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) program, as she shares about her family's  journey.
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The Adoption and Fostering Podcast - Podcast Special: FASD awareness month with Jeff Noble
It's FASD awareness months and the 9th September is the FASD day so to mark it we've spoken to Jeff Noble of FASD Success fame.
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Salt Spring and Gulf Islands FASD group – GLIMMERS
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NOFASD Australia Podcast - #32 Dispelling the Stigma with Angelene Bruce
Kurt is joined by Angelene Bruce; a biological mother of a child with FASD, a FASD advocate, speaker and parent mentor.
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FASD Hope Podcast - 178 - Tinderbox - A Conversation with Lynn Alsup
Episode 178 welcomes back two-time guest, Lynn Alsup and celebrates the launch of her new book "Tinderbox: One Family's Story of Adoption, Neurodiversity, and Fierce Love".
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RESEARCH
Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Factors to be considered as part of a holistic assessment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A scoping review
Areas to be considered as part of a holistic assessment and diagnostic process spanned individual, family, and system level factors.
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University of Guelph - An Examination of the Experiences and Needs of Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) who have Criminal Legal System Contact
People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) often experience inadequate supports, which can lead to an increased risk of becoming involved in the criminal legal system (CLS).
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Reproductive Toxicology - Maternal Dietary Intake Among Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies Is Linked to Early Infant Physical Outcomes in South Africa
Maternal dietary intake is likely a contributing factor to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Two, 24-hour dietary recalls were completed by pregnant women (n=196) in South African communities with high rates of FASD.
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International Journal of Molecular Sciences - Effects of In Utero EtOH Exposure on 18S Ribosomal RNA Processing: Contribution to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are leading causes of neurodevelopmental disability. The mechanisms by which alcohol (EtOH) disrupts fetal brain development are incompletely understood, as are the genetic factors that modify individual vulnerability.
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Epigenetics of Trauma Transmission and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: What Does the Evidence Support?
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) results from teratogenic impacts of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Trauma and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can both cause neurodevelopmental impairment, and it has been proposed that FASD can amplify effects of trauma.
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Learning from 50 Years of Aboriginal Alcohol Programs - Meeting the Challenge of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is a major source of neurodevelopmental impairment among both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
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Drug and Alcohol Review - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men: A discussion to be had
In this paper, we discuss several areas for increased involvement by Indigenous men in future FASD research, prevention, care and support.
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iScience - Prenatal Alcohol Alters Inflammatory Signatures In Enteric Portal Tissues Following Adult-Onset Cerebrovascular Ischemic Stroke
Collectively, PAE inhibits brain inflammation, but results in an inflammatory signature in enteric portal tissues after stroke, suggesting that PAE persistently and adversely impacts the gut-brain axis following adult onset disease.
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University of Malta - Prenatal alcohol exposure and risk of foetal loss
This review has concluded that whilst there is a definite increase in the rates of foetal death when a pregnant mother is exposed to alcohol, inconsistencies exist regarding the most detrimental factor, including the type of alcohol, amount, frequency, dose, or gestational age at exposure.
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Australian & New Zealand Journal of Statistics - Bayesian modelling of effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on child cognition based on data from multiple cohorts
High levels of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) result in significant cognitive deficits in children, but the exact nature of the dose-response relationship is less well understood.
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Pediatric Research - Impact of low-level prenatal alcohol exposure and maternal stress on autonomic regulation
Alterations in ANS regulation associated with PAE and maternal stress may reflect abnormal development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and have long term implications for infant responsiveness and self-regulation.
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NeuroImmune Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Prenatal and adolescent alcohol exposure, neuroinflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease: a network meta analysis approach
This review highlights the necessity of recognizing developmental alcohol exposure as a potential risk factor for AD and shed light on the underlying mechanisms that may contribute to alcohol-induced neurotoxicity.
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The FASEB Journal - Alcohol blunts pregnancy-mediated insulin resistance and reduces fetal brain glucose despite elevated fetal gluconeogenesis, and these changes associate with fetal weight outcomes
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) impairs fetal growth and neurodevelopment. Although alcohol is well known to alter metabolism, its impact on these processes during pregnancy is largely unexplored.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Spiral drawing deficits in children with prenatal alcohol exposure
The drawing skills of children with prenatal alcohol exposure have inherent signal characteristics that differ significantly from those produced by typically developing peers.
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Frontiers in Psychiatry - Reducing the risk of prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD through social services: promising results from the FAR SEAS pilot project
Changing risky behaviors (alcohol consumption and sex without contraception) to prevent alcohol exposed pregnancies is feasible at the local level, even without engagement of medical professionals.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Visual TEAF (Spain) - Qué aprenderás con estos cursos TEAF
Si eres un profesional, gracias al curso TEAF adquirirás la formación necesaria para enfrentar día a día este problema, desde el diagnostico, soluciones de ayuda profesional y hábitos que mejorarán el día a día de las personas afectadas día a día.
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Fædrelandsvennen (Norway) - Hvorfor snakker ingen om barna som fødes med alkoholskader?
«Jeg har en hjerneskade fordi moren min drakk alkohol i svangerskapet, og det kan jo ikke behandles. Vet du noen plass familien min kan få hjelp?»
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Stadt Delmenhorst (Germany) - Ungeborene Kinder vor Alkoholschäden schützen
Die Gefahr von Alkoholkonsum in der Schwangerschaft wird oftmals noch immer deutlich unterschätzt. Das Leben von Kindern, die alkoholgeschädigt auf die Welt kommen, ist in vielen Bereichen massiv belastet.
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Ilta-Sanomat (Finland) - Alkot aukeavat lauantaina normaalia myöhemmin, tässä syy
Syynä on vuosittain 9.9. järjestettävä kansainvälinen FASD-päivä, jonka tarkoituksena muistuttaa raittiudesta raskausaikana.
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Gov.pl (Poland) - Konferencja stacjonarna „FASD – profilaktyka, diagnostyka, rehabilitacja” 2.10.2023 r.
Wojewódzka Stacja Sanitarno-Epidemiologiczna w Krakowie we współpracy z Ekspertem Wojewódzkim ds.
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Postimees (Estonia) - Prisma alustab laupäeval alkoholimüüki hiljem. Ja selleks on oluline põhjus
Laupäeval, 9. septembril alustavad Prisma kauplused alkoholimüüki kell 10.09, et aidata teadvustada alkoholist põhjustatud sünnikahjustusi.
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Sanità Informazione (Italy) - Alcol, rischi molto alti per mamme e neonati
Abortività spontanea, morte intrauterina e insorgenza di difetti dello sviluppo fetale: la Società Italiana di Neonatologia mette in guardia le donne in attesa sulla dipendenza da alcolici
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MojaObčina.si (Slovenia) - Mednarodni dan fetalnega alkoholnega sindrima
9. september je mednarodni dan ozaveščanja o posledicah izpostavljenosti otroka alkoholu pred rojstvom (Dan FASD).
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MilleUnaDONNA (Italy) - Il 10% delle donne consuma alcol in gravidanza: l'allarme dei neonatologi e i rischi per madre e bambino
La Società italiana di neonatologia (Sin) ribadisce che "è opportuno astenersi completamente" dall'alcol "durante tutto il periodo" di gestazione
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Tampere University (Finland) - Secondary Disabilities in Finnish Youth with Prenatal Substance Exposure : A longitudinal register-based cohort study on secondary education, financial difficulties and mood and neurotic disorders in youth with prenatal substance exposure
Altistuminen päihteille (ml. alkoholi ja laittomat huumeet) raskaudenaikana on merkittävä riskitekijä sikiön kehitykselle, erityisesti sikiön keskushermoston ja aivojen kehitykselle.
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Potilaan Lääkärilehti (Finland) - Mitä tarkoittaa FASD?
Alkoholi ja raskaus eivät sovi yhteen. Turvarajaa raskaudenaikaiselle alkoholinkäytölle ei voida varmistaa, joten täysraittius raskauden aikana on ainoa varma vaihtoehto.
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Alcohol News - 37/2023

NordAN (Denmark) - Denmark: Massive voter support for an 18-year age limit
Sixty-three per cent of Danes believe that the age limit for alcohol sales should be raised to 18 years. A new Voxmeter poll indicates this and simultaneously establishes that there's now significant support from voters across all political parties.
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World Health Organization (WHO) - LESS ALCOHOL WEBINAR SERIES: Addressing blind spots to accelerate the implementation of high-impact policy interventions 2023
In 2023, the Less Alcohol Webinar Series returns for its third edition, from September to December 2023. This year, the four-part series continues its aim to start global conversations on policy blind spots critical to reducing alcohol consumption.
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The Atlantic (USA) - Stress Drinking Has a Gender Divide
More than a decade ago, when Holly Whitaker worked a director-level job at a Silicon Valley start-up, insecurities haunted her. She feared never being enough, never getting ahead.
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SBS (Australia) - Every glass of alcohol is a health risk: Prof. Emmanuel Kuntsche, alcohol policy researcher
A glass of alcohol often accompanies us as a matter of course. Yet the considerable long-term risks are often underestimated - or ignored.
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CBC (Canada) - Alcohol culture ballooned during pandemic, led to more problematic drinking: experts
The COVID-19 pandemic was a time of unknowns. It brought confusion, anxiety, fear, boredom, isolation and a lack of structure.
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Bolton Council (UK) - Alcohol and antisocial behaviour rules up for consultation
Rules governing how the police can deal with drunken behaviour are up for review as Bolton Council consults on whether to extend them.
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The Local Germany (Germany) - 'Alcohol and overconfidence' behind many drowning deaths in Germany
The number of drownings in Germany this year has gone down compared to the same period last year, according to the German Life-Saving Association (DLRG). They shed advice on how future fatalities could be prevented.
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Citizen Digital (Kenya) - Alcohol Is The Most Abused Drug In Kenya – NACADA
Alcohol is the most abused drug in Kenya, a survey by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has shown.
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Irish Examiner (Ireland) - Four out of 10 primary schools have alcohol outlets within 300 metres of their gates
Four out of ten national schools and half of secondary schools have at least one outlet selling alcohol within 300 metres of their school gates, according to a new study.
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Medical Brief (South Africa) - Plea for more funding – not prison – to tackle Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Campaigners are pleading for more funding to fight Foetal alcohol syndrome, which affects some 7m worldwide – with South Africa reporting the highest rates around the globe: 111.1 per 1 000 of the population – but say imprisoning mothers is not the solution.
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News Medical - Adolescent drinking is associated with a higher risk of acute harm
In a recent study published in EClinicalMedicine, researchers determined the dose-response association between alcohol consumption and the risk of hospital visits due to alcohol consumption-related unintentional injuries among Danish adolescents.
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NordAN - Conference Resolution – ‘Digital alcohol marketing in the spotlight’
In a digital world with ever-changing media channels, the possibility for the international alcohol  industry to promote their products are endless. Digital alcohol marketing can target groups of  consumers with precision not experienced before.
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OBR Oncology - Should Oncologists Do More to Curb Alcohol Use in Patients?
Alcohol consumption is prevalent among adult patients with cancer, and the patterns of consumption are similar whether on or off treatment, new research indicates. Community oncologists say that the findings emphasize the importance of talking to patients about alcohol, even if that conversation can be uncomfortable.
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Alcohol News - 36/2023

news | ERR (Estonia) - Tartu considering time restrictions on alcohol sales
Tartu City Government is considering introducing new time restrictions on the sale of alcohol. According to the police, doing so would reduce the number of early morning callouts to deal with incidents at the city's nightclubs, which have not fallen even during the summer.
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NZ Herald (New Zealand) - Concerns alcohol too widely available in Whanganui as community survey gets under way
The availability of alcohol in Whanganui is coming under fire from community members, despite new alcohol laws aimed at clamping down on appeals to local alcohol policies.
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The Independent - Alcohol and rising obesity led to ‘alarming’ surge in cancers in young people
Drinking alcohol, smoking and obesity have contributed to a huge surge in the number of cancer cases in younger people, new research suggests.
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Forbes (USA) - Older Adults Alcohol Consumption Is On The Rise, So Too Are Accidents
Alcohol use among senior citizens is on the rise. Although historically older adults were less likely to drink than younger adults, recent studies show that older adults are now drinking more frequently and in larger quantities than in the past.
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Newstalk (Ireland) - 15% increase 'should be' imposed on alcohol excise duty - Alcohol Action Ireland
Budget 2024 is right around the corner and Alcohol Action Ireland are calling for an introduction of excise duties on alcohol and also a levy on drink companies such as Diageo.
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Raconteur - Tippling point: why employers should welcome the rise of ‘mindful drinking’
The so-called sober-curious movement is gaining momentum, especially among generation Z. Knowing the impact of drinking on productivity, should business call time on alcohol’s integral role in British working culture?
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Alcohol and Drug Foundation (Australia) - The cost-of-living crisis and alcohol and other drugs in Australia
The cost of living is increasing for many Australians. But what affect does this have on drinking and use of other drugs? Here we look at the impacts, and where to seek support if you or a loved one are affected.
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IAS Blog - Readiness to Change? Post-Pandemic Practice Pressures and Alcohol Related Brain Damage
Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD) is an umbrella term that reflects the long-term consequences of alcohol consumption on the brain. Whilst the link between alcohol and liver damage or cancer for example, is well recognised, the association between alcohol consumption and long-term cognition, function and behaviour is often overlooked.
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Euractiv (EU) - Will you soon see cancer warnings on alcohol in the EU?
There was much talk about cancer warnings similar to the ones used for cigarettes on alcohol products sold in the EU after a recent law proposed by the Irish government.
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FASD News - 35/2023

CanFASD - September 9th is International FASD Day
First celebrated in 1999, FASD day is devoted to raising awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to improve prevention of FASD and diagnosis and support for individuals with FASD.
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National FASD (UK) - Happy FASD Awareness Month!
Today is an exciting day! The 1st September marks the beginning of FASD Awareness Month here in the UK. This is a whole month dedicated to raising awareness of FASD in the UK, as well as celebrating the amazing day-to-day achievements of awesome people with FASD up and down the country.
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NOFASD Australia - “Lighting The Way” To FASD Awareness!
It’s September (FASD Awareness Month) and time to look at what each of us can do to raise awareness of this disability during this month – and what exciting things are already on the agenda.
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CanFASD (Canada) - Canada Rocks Red for FASD
This year, several Canadian monuments and landmarks will be rocking red for FASD to raise awareness of this disability. We’ve asked key landmarks across the country to light up red on September 9th in honour of FASD Awareness Day.
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Proof Alliance - $9 x 9 Months = big impact!
At Proof Alliance, we are working to create a world where people living with an FASD are identified, supported and valued, and alcohol is not consumed during all nine months of pregnancy.
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The Canberra Times (Australia) - Govt invests $18m to address FASD in central Australia
The federal government is investing $18.4 million to help children in central Australia with neurodevelopmental issues. Donna Ah-Chee, chief executive of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, a health organisation based in Alice Springs, said the funding would help identify children with ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and autism.
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Alaska Public Media (USA) - Talk of Alaska: Raising Awareness about FASD
Babies who were exposed to alcohol during pregnancy can develop lifelong developmental disabilities known collectively as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD.
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Griffith News (Australia) - Griffith research into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder wins $1.49m grant
A project designed to help screen children and adolescents at risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has been awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council Partnership Grant worth $1.49 million.
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Orangeville Citizen (Canada) - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder affects more Canadians than autism, cerebral palsy and down syndrome combined
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day is being held Sept. 9. FASD Day, and the month of September, is devoted to raising awareness and challenging current misinformation and stigma surrounding FASD.
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News-Medical.net - Is alcohol exposure before and during pregnancy associated with reduced longitudinal fetal growth?
In a recent study published in BMC Medicine, researchers examined the association between exposure to alcohol in the periconceptional and prenatal periods and longitudinal growth of the fetus, focusing on the quantity and timing of alcohol consumption.
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The Mirror - 'I didn't stop my pregnant friend from drinking - now she's mad at me'
There have been numerous studies over the years that say drinking alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding is never a good idea for a mum or baby.
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ABC (Australia) - Breaking the cycle
Alysha always thought using drugs while pregnant would be the lowest she could go.
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Brock News – Brock researcher explores the gut’s connection to mental health
Almost everyone living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) will experience depression, anxiety or other mental health challenge at some point in their lives. Increasingly, these conditions are being linked to what’s happening in their gut, says Charlis Raineki, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Brock University.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
NOFASD Australia - Nic's interview with Chris - living with FASD.
NOFASD Australia; A open conversation style interview between Nic & Chris relative to his life living with FASD.
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St. Louis Arc - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month
The St. Louis Arc is committed to raising awareness about the long-term harmful effects alcohol has on pregnancy. Join us as we kick off Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month and learn more about the Arc's Go the Whole 9 program.
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NOFASD Australia - #01 Myths with Louise Gray from NOFASD Australia
How much do you know about pregnancy and alcohol? The reality may surprise you. Alcohol exposure while in the womb may cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, in the unborn child.
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Springer Link - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - A Multidisciplinary Approach
Written by experts in the field, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders provides a concise yet comprehensive summary of the current status of this issue that helps guide prevention efforts, the diagnostic process, school and community interventions, and global policy efforts.
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RESEARCH
Child: Care, Health and Development - Establishing a multidisciplinary specialist centre for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders—Lessons learned from a model project in Germany
Our service was used by both caregivers and professionals who reported numerous and complex concerns and needs. Professionally sound and multidisciplinary services are viable instruments to meet those needs, bearing the potential for quick and notable relief among individuals affected.
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Res Dev Disabil - Prognostic factors for long-term outcome in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Even though our results need to be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations such as the use of a convenience sample and limited statistical power, they imply that severely affected children with FASD experience a less stable environment.
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Applied Sciences - Assessment of the Central Nervous System in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Using Magnetic Resonance (MR) Techniques
The analysis of the present findings in the study group showed that brain MRI examinations of children with FASD more often identified a decreased corpus callosum and 1H MRS and DWI abnormalities, particularly in the region of basal ganglia.
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Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease - Neuroinflammation in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and related novel therapeutic approaches
Despite evidence of its importance, neuroinflammation is not usually considered at diagnosis or treatment for FASD. Here, we discuss the literature regarding anti- inflammatory drugs and nutraceuticals, which hold promise for future therapeutical interventions in these disorders.
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BMC Proceedings - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevention and clinical guidelines research-workshop report
It is estimated that up to 1 in 20 people in the United States are affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), an array of cognitive, emotional, physical and social disorders caused by exposure to alcohol during prenatal development.
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Alcohol - Proceedings of the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group
The 2022 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group (FASDSG) meeting was held in coordination with the 45th annual Research Society on Alcoholism conference on June 25th, 2022.
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eClinicalMedicine - Parental substance use disorder and risk of intellectual disability in offspring in Sweden: a national register study
Both paternal and maternal SUD were associated with an increased risk of ID in offspring, with greatest risk observed when AUD was diagnosed during pregnancy.
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International Indigenous Policy Journal - Client Perceptions of an FASD-Informed Indigenous Restorative Justice Program
Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can experience multiple layers of adversity that increase vulnerability to justice involvement.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Prenatal alcohol exposure and cognition at midlife: Evidence of fluid cognition deficits in two cohorts
While all participants with PAE had lower fluid cognition, those with PAE and dysmorphic features also exhibited specific deficits in their performance on measures of inhibition, attention, and cognitive flexibility.
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Alcohol and Alcoholism - Pregnancy-specific alcohol policies and admissions to substance use disorder treatment for pregnant people in the USA
Pregnancy-specific alcohol policies related to greater treatment admissions tend to mandate treatment rather than make voluntary treatment more accessible, raising questions of ethics and effectiveness.
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BMC Medicine - Alcohol exposure before and during pregnancy is associated with reduced fetal growth: the Safe Passage Study
This study demonstrated that PAE negatively affects fetal growth, in particular when exposed during the periconception period or in second trimester.
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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth - Associations between prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposure on Doppler flow velocity waveforms in pregnancy: a South African study
In our study, PTE in trimesters two and three resulted in increased vascular resistance of the placenta. These findings highlight nuance in associations between PAE, PTE and blood flow velocities in arteries of the fetal-placental-maternal circulation and birth weight, suggesting that quantity and timing are important factors in these relationships.
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Western University - Offspring Susceptibility of Developing Depressive-like Phenotypes and Metabolic Dysfunction Following Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Juvenile Stress in a Mouse Model
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is the leading preventable cause of adverse fetal outcomes. Individuals with PAE are susceptible to developing secondary deficits such as depression and metabolic disorders.
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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Relationship Between Criminal and Status Offense Behaviors, Substance Use, and HIV Risk Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Cape Town, South Africa
This study aimed to examine the relationship between externalizing behaviors, substance use, and sexual risk among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Cape Town, South Africa, who experience social disadvantage characterized by poverty and school dropout.
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University of Exeter - Application of fish models for studying mechanisms of human fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)
In this project, embryos from two small fish species, zebrafish (freshwater) and Arabian killifish (AKF) (seawater and brackish water), have been used as suitable models to study the mechanism of human fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
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Aten Primaria - Considerations for the design and implementation of interventions for the cessation of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use in pregnancy: A qualitative study
The conclusion is that this intervention should be carried out at the level of prenatal care in primary care. There are doubts regarding the frequency, purpose, and follow-up of this multicomponent intervention, as well as the possibility of incorporating couples.
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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience - Effects of prenatal alcohol exposition on cognitive outcomes in childhood and youth: a longitudinal analysis based on meconium ethyl glucuronide
Subclinical PAE, as determined by meconium EtG, has negative developmental consequences on cognitive function that persist from childhood to adolescence.
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American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM - Clinician views on reporting pregnant and birthing patients who use alcohol and/or drugs to child welfare
Participants agreed with most, but not, all child welfare reporting decisions. When participants disagreed or felt conflicted with reporting decisions, these feelings were almost entirely related to decisions to report, which, in some cases, were prompted by hospital or state policies.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Kehitysvammaliitto (Finland) - Faktoja FASDista
Alkoholi on kaikkein merkittävin sikiön kehitystä uhkaava tekijä, johon odottava äiti voi itse vaikuttaa. Kaikista päihteistä juuri alkoholi aiheuttaa eniten sikiövaurioita.
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Zielona Góra (Poland) - UM Zielona Góra: Zielonogórska Kampania Społeczna FASD
Tegoroczna edycja Zielonogórskiej Kampanii Profilaktycznej „ZaFAScynuj się ciążą bez alkoholu” odbywa się pod hasłem „FASD bagaż na całe życie”.
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CISA - Centro de Informações sobre Saúde e Álcool (Brazil) - Os perigos do consumo de álcool na gravidez
O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas durante a gestação e lactação traz consequências graves para a saúde, tanto do  bebê quanto da mãe. Saiba mais.
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Dagens Medisin (Norway) - Viktig helsetilbud forsvinner - frykter rusavhengige gravide går under radaren
Vi er bekymret for at et svært viktig helsetilbud i spesialisthelsetjenesten til gravide og småbarnsfamilier med rusmiddelproblemer gradvis smuldrer opp.
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Erziehungsbüro Rheinland gGmbH (Germany) - FASD Awareness Day - FASD Online Event 2023
noch kurze Zeit Anmeldung möglich, wir freuen uns auf euch!
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Zielona Gora (Poland) - Zielonogórska Kampania Społeczna FASD
Tegoroczna edycja Zielonogórskiej Kampanii Profilaktycznej „ZaFAScynuj się ciążą bez alkoholu” odbywa się pod hasłem „FASD bagaż na całe życie”.
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Alko.fi (Finland) - Alkoholi ja raskaus eivät sovi yhteen
Tulevan lapsen kannalta turvallisin vaihtoehto on jättää alkoholi kokonaan, sillä raskauden aikaiselle alkoholin käytölle ei ole turvarajaa.
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