Forward, Together: Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Atlantic Canada

A report in two sections of a two-part study of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in the Atlantic region.
By Gary Roberts and Associates

Phase I: A Document Review and Synthesis of Information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in Atlantic Canada. 2007.
52 pages

Phase II: The Report of a Knowledge Exchange Process to Identify Gaps, Opportunities and a Vision for Activities to Address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Atlantic Canada.
2008.
33 pages

...download full report (486 KB)

Description

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), resulting from alcohol use during pregnancy, represent a costly and pressing public health and social issue in Atlantic Canada. Forward, Together: Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Atlantic Canada presents the results of a two-phased effort to document FASD in the region and to identify gaps, priorities and opportunities related to the condition. The report was commissioned by the Atlantic Region, Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health, on behalf of the Atlantic Intergovernmental FASD Partnership. The purpose of the work was to collect and examine Atlantic-specific and Atlantic-relevant information to inform the work of the Partnership in setting priorities for action, policy and research.

The Phase I report, A Document Review and Synthesis of Information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Atlantic Canada, examines available information about the nature, scope and economic impact of FASD; contributing factors such as knowledge, attitudes and determinants of health; and policy and research responses in each of the four Atlantic provinces. Using existing data from Canada and the United States, the authors estimate that there were over 23,000 Atlantic Canadians living with FASD in 2006, with an approximate annual cost to the region of over $160 million. Phase one offers six recommendations for addressing FASD, based on the results of this examination of existing research.

The Phase II publication, The Report of a Knowledge Exchange Process to Identify Gaps, Opportunities and a Vision for Activities to Address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Atlantic Canada, presents the results of a 2008 consultation with Atlantic Canadians concerned about FASD. The report details stakeholders’ perceptions of gaps, challenges and priorities in policy, programming and research associated with FASD-related initiatives in Atlantic Canada. In the course of the knowledge exchange process, stakeholders also identified a number of opportunities to move the issue forward in the short term, contributing to the framing of recommendations and a vision for addressing FASD in Atlantic Canada.

Credits

Forward, Together: Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Atlantic Canada was produced by Gary Roberts and Associates. Linda Graham, Heather O’Brien, Mona Wynn and Stacy Taylor contributed in various capacities. The study was commissioned by the Atlantic Region, Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health, on behalf of the Atlantic Intergovernmental Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Partnership, a collaborative forum comprised of representatives of the four Atlantic provincial governments, the government of Nunatsiavut and three departments of the Government of Canada.

Availability

This publication is available for download in English and French. To open the pdf file you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

... pdf English (486 KB)
... pdf French (545 KB)

For more information, contact:

Public Health Agency of Canada
Suite 1525, 15th Floor, Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3Y6
Tel: (902) 426-2700
Fax: (902) 426-9689
E-mail: atlantic-atlantique@phac-aspc.gc.ca