❓ This WA parliamentary question and answer addresses research, funding, and services related to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Western Australia. It reveals ongoing research, limited knowledge among health professionals, and existing support services.
AnsweredQoN 5641Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(2) If yes to (1), with what results?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Is the Minister aware of any interstate or overseas studies that have been carried out on this issue?
(5) If yes to (4), what are the results of those studies?
(6) If no to (4), will the Minister take steps to ascertain the importance of this issue in Western Australia?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Has the Government given any consideration to funding research in Western Australia?
(9) If yes to (8), when will this be implemented?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Has the Government given any consideration to establishing appropriate diagnostic and support services for people with FASD?
(12) If yes to (11), when will this be done?
(13) If no to (11), why not?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Is the Minister aware of any interstate or overseas studies that have been carried out on this issue?
(5) If yes to (4), what are the results of those studies?
(6) If no to (4), will the Minister take steps to ascertain the importance of this issue in Western Australia?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Has the Government given any consideration to funding research in Western Australia?
(9) If yes to (8), when will this be implemented?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Has the Government given any consideration to establishing appropriate diagnostic and support services for people with FASD?
(12) If yes to (11), when will this be done?
(13) If no to (11), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 February 2008
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Health
Response time
83 days
(1) - (2) The following studies have been or are currently being conducted:
Telethon Institute for Child Health (TICHR) current projects:
· Impact of low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
· Research into the health and social outcomes of children of mothers with an alcohol-related diagnosis during pregnancy.
· Women's knowledge of alcohol and pregnancy.
· Survey of health professionals to assess the impact of FASD resources.
Results relating to the above are:
o Alcohol during pregnancy at moderate to high levels impacts on pregnancy outcome. This research is continuing.
o Data is currently being linked for the analysis of children with FASD.
Previous WA research:
· Prevalence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in WA.
· Health professionals' knowledge of FAS.
· Study on neonatal outcomes.
Results relating to the above are:
o Total prevalence of FAS is 0.18 per 1,000 children.
o Health professionals have limited knowledge of FAS.
(3)
Not applicable.
(4) Interstate studies include:
· A surveillance study of FAS conducted by the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit in Sydney; and
· A diagnostic research study is in progress in Townsville, Queensland in collaboration with the University of Washington, United States of America to develop methods for better diagnosis of FAS.
Overseas studies have been conducted over the past 20 years on FAS and FASD in the United States of America, Canada, Sweden, France, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.
(5) The results confirm that people exposed to alcohol during pregnancy are at risk of a range of physical effects and developmental disturbances. The greater the alcohol consumption, the greater the risk of adverse effects.
(6) Not applicable.
(7)
Not applicable.
(8) Yes. Healthway has provided funding for the "Women's knowledge of alcohol and pregnancy survey" (2007-2008) and "Health professionals' knowledge of FAS survey" (2004) as listed in question 1. Related research projects are also funded through TICHR's National Health and Medical Research Program (NHMRC) grant. The NHMRC is a statutory agency funded through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
(9) This is ongoing research.
(10)
Not applicable.
(11) - (12)
Children with FASD can receive treatment/therapy for related delays and disorders from WA Health child development services in metropolitan and regional areas.
The national Inter-governmental Committee on Drugs has established a sub committee to examine the issues relating to FAS. Their deliberations are expected to inform further consideration of this matter within each jurisdiction.
(13) Not applicable.
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Telethon Institute for Child Health (TICHR) current projects:
· Impact of low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
· Research into the health and social outcomes of children of mothers with an alcohol-related diagnosis during pregnancy.
· Women's knowledge of alcohol and pregnancy.
· Survey of health professionals to assess the impact of FASD resources.
Results relating to the above are:
o Alcohol during pregnancy at moderate to high levels impacts on pregnancy outcome. This research is continuing.
o Data is currently being linked for the analysis of children with FASD.
Previous WA research:
· Prevalence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in WA.
· Health professionals' knowledge of FAS.
· Study on neonatal outcomes.
Results relating to the above are:
o Total prevalence of FAS is 0.18 per 1,000 children.
o Health professionals have limited knowledge of FAS.
(3)
Not applicable.
(4) Interstate studies include:
· A surveillance study of FAS conducted by the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit in Sydney; and
· A diagnostic research study is in progress in Townsville, Queensland in collaboration with the University of Washington, United States of America to develop methods for better diagnosis of FAS.
Overseas studies have been conducted over the past 20 years on FAS and FASD in the United States of America, Canada, Sweden, France, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.
(5) The results confirm that people exposed to alcohol during pregnancy are at risk of a range of physical effects and developmental disturbances. The greater the alcohol consumption, the greater the risk of adverse effects.
(6) Not applicable.
(7)
Not applicable.
(8) Yes. Healthway has provided funding for the "Women's knowledge of alcohol and pregnancy survey" (2007-2008) and "Health professionals' knowledge of FAS survey" (2004) as listed in question 1. Related research projects are also funded through TICHR's National Health and Medical Research Program (NHMRC) grant. The NHMRC is a statutory agency funded through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
(9) This is ongoing research.
(10)
Not applicable.
(11) - (12)
Children with FASD can receive treatment/therapy for related delays and disorders from WA Health child development services in metropolitan and regional areas.
The national Inter-governmental Committee on Drugs has established a sub committee to examine the issues relating to FAS. Their deliberations are expected to inform further consideration of this matter within each jurisdiction.
(13) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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