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Today is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day.
Local community organizations are holding events Sept. 9 to raise awareness of the effects of FASD, reminding people that “there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy,” said the Ministry of Health statement.
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“Our goal is to help the residents of our province struggling with mental health and addiction issues,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr said.
“By increasing awareness and expanding support services, more people can get the help they need to avoid the challenges of FASD.”
Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause FASD, a lifelong disability, leading to a wide range of mental, physical, learning and behavioural challenges. It is estimated that up to four per cent of Canadians are living with FASD, including approximately 49,000 people in Saskatchewan.
“The stigma surrounding alcohol use during pregnancy often results in underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis,” read the statement.
“Early diagnosis can provide lifelong support, leading to healthier communities.”
The Government of Saskatchewan has provided $3.53 million in funding to support strategies to prevent FASD and to support individuals affected by it, including funding to community-based organizations that deliver services across the province.
Funding includes prevention initiatives that incorporate universal and targeted programs, education for health care providers, along with psychologist services, supports for families, and vocational and recreational programs for individuals who live with FASD.
Honey bees used in FASD research
What could honey bees mean for learning more about FASD?
That’s what Dr. Sarah Wood, Research Chair in Pollinator Health and Associate Professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, is trying to figure out.
She joined the Evan Bray Show in August with guest host Brent Loucks to talk about her research.
She said thanks to the social and biological similarities between bees and humans, there might be a chance to learn more about this disease.
Listen to the full interview with Dr. Sarah Wood:
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