The Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network (CanFASD) is launching the only comprehensive Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) database in the world, providing key insight into the profile of individuals with FASD as well as Canada’s first-ever national prevalence statistics.
CanFASD can now get real-time data from clinics across Canada, helping inform policy and practice at a national level. Information from the database will also provide data back to each of the diagnostic clinics to help them inform and support their own work.
The database will also provide opportunities for national education and training to improve services for individuals with this neurodevelopmental disorder.
CanFASD’s national database is important for understanding the relationship between diagnostic capacity and service availability for individuals with FASD. In-depth research will inform policy decision and resource allocations pertaining to health services provided to those with FASD. Currently, there are more than 25 clinics from nine provinces and territories participating.