Recommendations for action

Recommendations 1 to 4 are derived from the document, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Hopeful Challenge for Children, Families and Communities (Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Alberta/Northwest Territories Region, Health Canada, 1998).

Recommendations 5 to 7 resulted from Atlantic regional consultations, as reported in Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program/Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects Initiative, First Nations and Inuit Discussion and Feedback, Summary Report (Childhood and Youth Division, Health Canada, 2000).

1. Work within a health promotion and prevention framework to address Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). This means addressing the broader social determinants as well as the systemic causes of alcoholism, poverty, violence, cultural breakdown, underemployment, lack of housing and lack of access to health care.
   
   
2. Facilitate early diagnosis of FAS/FAE.
   
   
3. Use existing capacity and relationships. Health Canada's Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, Community Action Program for Children and Aboriginal Head Start are good programming sites for prevention and early intervention.
   
   
4. Encourage collaboration among governments (federal, provincial and territorial), with the private sector, and with non-governmental organizations.
   
   
5. Implement provincial/regional coordination, to collaborate and address FAS/FAE issues using a teamwork approach.
   
   
6. Promote FAS/FAE education (including for health care professionals), as well as awareness raising among the general public.
   
   
7. Recognize cultural differences and incorporate traditional First Nations and Inuit values in the models used for FAS/FAE programs, alcohol treatment and other services.

 

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