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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Case Study

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The aboriginal population in Canada is growing, and it is known that 56% of Aboriginals live on an rural reserve or community (Government of Canada, 2014; NCCAH, 2011). It is important to note that those Aboriginals living on reserves and in communities have a significantly higher rate of health issues than those living in cities (NCCAH, 2011). This stems from the limited access to healthcare that Aboriginal rural areas receive (NCCAH, 2011). The lack of healthcare causes higher numbers in diseases, conditions, and disorders among the Aboriginal people of Canada (NCCAH, 2011). Aboriginals in Canada have a greater number of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) cases than non-Aboriginals in Canada, with most of the cases being found in the Aboriginal rural communities (Health Canada, 2006; Pacey, 2009; Masotti et al., 2006). Although FASD is difficult to measure accurately in Aboriginal communities, researches estimated that the number of cases of FASD in Aboriginal infants is double the number in non-Aboriginal infants (Pacey, 2010). It is common to jump to blaming the Aboriginal mothers of children with FASD for these high rates, however there could be underlying reasons to consider before placing blame. One of the main reasons for the high numbers of FASD in Aboriginal communities is because of their severe lack …show more content…

This can be linked to the lack of healthcare within Aboriginal reserves and communities. Healthcare professionals educate pregnant women on the effects of alcohol on their babies, however if there are no healthcare professionals in Aboriginal communities they do not receive this education. The lack of healthcare also results in no or little support and help to those women battling alcohol abuse in Aboriginal communities. The women end up consuming alcohol while they are pregnant resulting in FASD because of the inadequate health professionals

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