Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Program – Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch

The Health Portfolio works in partnership with many stakeholders to address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), including national Aboriginal organizations, professional associations, First Nations and Inuit communities, and provincial and territorial governments.

In addition to a national Healthy Pregnancy Campaign, there are many other federal initiatives designed to address FASD. This includes an FASD program funded by Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. The Branch provides community-based health services to First Nations who live on reserve and health promotion and disease prevention services to Inuit in the North. These services are similar to those that provincial and territorial health departments provide to their residents.

The current yearly budget for the First Nations and Inuit Health FASD program is $16.7 million. These funds are used to achieve the program's overall goals of preventing FASD births and improving the quality of life for those aff ected by FASD.

Preventing FASD Births

Building awareness of FASD in First Nations and Inuit communities:

The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch FASD program plays an important role in raising awareness of FASD on-reserve and in the north.A recent public opinion survey reports that:

• 86% of First Nations and 79% of Inuit aged 18 to 40 indicated that stopping the use of alcohol was an important factor in increasing the likelihood of healthy babies;
• 94% of First Nations and 86% of Inuit were aware of FASD; and
• only a very small percentage (less than 10%) of First Nations and Inuit believed that it was okay to have a few alcoholic drinks when pregnant.

Targeted interventions for women at risk of having a child with FASD:

Research has demonstrated that the most eff ective way to prevent FASD births among women at high risk of drinking during pregnancy is mentoring.

Mentoring projects pair a woman at-risk of drinking during pregnancy with a trained community member who may share a similar life experience. The mentor helps the woman, at-risk of drinking, to identify her strengths and needs, and connects her to other supportive services.

Collaborative work with communities to address the broader determinants of health:

Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch has worked with First Nations and Inuit communities over the past several years on “asset mapping”. Asset Mapping is a tool that helps communities identify their strengths and to develop a plan of action to build on those strengths to prevent FASD births and to support individuals and families aff ected by FASD.

Improving Outcomes for Those With FASD

Education and training:

Education and training is provided to front-line community health workers, early childhood educators, teachers and health professionals who work with First Nations and Inuit communities.

Earlier diagnosis and earlier intervention for preschool-aged children with FASD and their families:

Research has demonstrated that outcomes are better with early identifi cation of FASD and intervention, before the age of six. Community coordinators will arrange supports for parents and families of children with FASD and provide linkages to diagnostic and support services. Health Canada also supports early intervention for children with special needs through Aboriginal Head Start programs.