Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD: Who is Responsible?

This in-depth book contains an introduction to prevention of FASD and to the different methods that are used. There is also a systematic review of the effectiveness of prevention approaches and an overview of reviews on FASD. The book ends with a chapter called “Five perspectives on prevention of FASD” written by professionals in the field who are working to prevent FASD in different ways.

Exposing a developing embryo or fetus to alcohol can produce life long brain damage with neurological, cognitive, and behavioural consequences. The implications of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder for the affected individual and the family are devastating. The social and economic burden to society is enormous with formidable expenditures in health care, mental health care, education, social services, and possibly correctional services. Prevention has been a goal since the condition was medically described and defined forty years ago, but has remained elusive though feasible. This book reviews the evidence for effective strategies and lays out what needs to be done. The book is of great value to policy makers, clinicians, researchers, and others advocating for action against this condition that is reducing the potential of our society and sapping its resources.

Book Series: Health Care and Disease Management