Health News For South West
Tuesday, September 02, 2014
Grey Bruce Health Unit
When it Comes to Alcohol… Zero Matters!
September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness month, recognizing the effect of alcohol use during pregnancy and to support women to have an alcohol-free pregnancy. When it comes to alcohol during pregnancy, zero is the only number that matters.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) refers to a broad range of physical and mental harms caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Exposure to alcohol any time during pregnancy can cause irreversible damage to a baby’s development. According to Health Canada, 1% of births involve alcohol use. A local study found that 4% of births in Grey Bruce showed use of alcohol during pregnancy (Gareri, et al., 2008). Prenatal exposure to alcohol remains the leading cause of birth defects and developmental delay in Canadian children.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is preventable. There is no cure. As a community, we all share the responsibility to support woman not to drink alcohol during pregnancy.
To assist local individuals and families living with FASD, the Grey Bruce Fetal Alcohol/Neurodevelopmental (FA/ND) Leadership Team and FASD/ONE (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Ontario Network of Expertise) are hosting a day-long conference FASD: Practical Supports for Families, October 25 in Owen Sound.
Media Contact:
Marilyn Lemon RN (EC)
Public Health Nurse, Family Health Team
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext 1436
m.lemon@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
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