Apologies for any cross-posting:
Under the patronage of the President of the European Parliament
Prof Jerzy Buzek
Hosted by MEP Elzbieta Lukacijewska (EPP, Poland)
Key note speaker:
European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy Mr John Dalli
You are cordially invited to a policy debate on ‘Protecting the unborn baby from alcohol’ (please find attached the draft programme) - 7th September 2011, European Parliament, Brussels
This event is jointly organized by European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare) and the Polish State Agency for Prevention of Alcohol-Related Problems (PARPA) to mark International Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Day.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is the leading known cause of birth defects and developmental disorders in the EU.
Unfortunately, many women are not aware that throughout pregnancy, even at low levels of exposure, alcohol interferes with the normal development and can seriously damage the unborn child. Case studies across Europe show there are a substantial number of women who continue to drink during pregnancy, it ranges from 25% in Spain to 35%-50% in the Netherlands and even higher rates in the UK or Ireland (79%).
The umbrella term, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), describes the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These can include physical, mental, behavioural and or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.
This meeting will be an opportunity to discuss different policy options to protect the unborn babies from the negative effects of alcohol at EU level as well as to share experiences and good practices.
For more information please contact: [log in to unmask]
If you DO NOT have a permanent pass to the European Parliament please ensure that you register before 5PM on TUESDAY 30TH AUGUST
Rowdy Yates
Senior Research Fellow
Scottish Addiction Studies
School of Applied Social Science
University of Stirling
Scotland
T: +44 (0) 1786-467737
F: +44 (0) 1786-466299
W: http://www.dass.stir.ac.uk/sections/showsection.php?id=4 (home)
W: http://www.drugslibrary.stir.ac.uk/ (online library)
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The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year 2009/2010
The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland,
number SC 011159.
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