Panel Discussion

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, are among the leading preventable causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities. This session highlights a variety of initiatives supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the prevention of FASDs through education, intervention, and policy. Presentations will include the evolution and adaptation of Project CHOICES, an intervention to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies among high risk women; an overview of recent recommendations put forth by the National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect; training materials available for reaching medical and allied health students and practitioners in the area of prevention, identification, and management of FASDs; and the development of educational materials for the prevention of FASDs in Russia.

Session Objectives: 1. Identify three challenges and lessons learned in the translation and dissemination of an effective intervention to reduce or prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies among high risk women. 2. Recognize the importance of multi-level, multi-system approaches and partnerships in preventing alcohol-exposed pregnancies and reducing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. 3. Identify seven core training competencies for medical and allied health education and practice regarding the prevention, identification, and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. 4. Recognize the risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancies and the role of health professionals in preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Russia.