Alaska
Geographic area included in surveillance project: Statewide.
Number of births each year in surveillance area: Approximately
10,000.
Children included in surveillance project: Children born in 1995
or later.
Case definition: T
he standard FASSNet
case definition.
Information sources: Hospitals,
pediatricians, family practice physicians, early intervention providers,
genetics and neurodevelopmental clinics, public health nursing clinics,
and vital statistics.
Information collected: The standard FASSNet set of
variables.
Prevalence rates:
For birth years
1995-1997, the FAS prevalence is 1.5 per 1,000 live births.
Education and training activities for health
-care and other providers:
Development of Medical Provider’s Guides, presentations.
Other FAS-related programs in
Alaska:
The Alaska FAS Statewide Prevention Coordinator provides technical
assistance to communities and serves as a clearinghouse of information and
training opportunities for professionals as well as parents and foster
parents (e-mail: diane_casto@health.state.ak.us; phone: (877)
393-1189).
General FAS awareness and
interest recently has increased in Alaska. As a result, a
multidisciplinary working group comprising Alaska Native leaders, health-care providers, educators,
legal professionals and state officials has been formed. The group is
developing a plan for comprehensive prevention programs as well as
increased assistance for professionals who work with individuals affected
by prenatal alcohol exposure and their parents. A detailed list of these
activities can be found on
Alaska's FAS Internet
site (http://hss.state.ak.us/fas).
FAS-related state legislation or statutes: FAS is reportable to the
State Department of Health and Social Services under regulations defining
the Alaska Birth Defects Registry. These regulations mandate facilities
and health care providers treating children 0-6 years old to report to the
Registry within 3 months of diagnosis. Associated regulations provide
access to medical records.
Relation between FASSNet project and state birth defects
surveillance system: The Alaska FAS Surveillance Project receives all
potential FAS cases from the Alaska Birth Defects Registry. The
legislation enabling the Alaska Birth Defects Registry provides the
mechanism for receiving reports of potential FAS cases and access to
medical records.
Project contact:
Janine Schoellhorn, MS. MPH
Senior MCH Epidemiologist
Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Unit
3601 C Street, Suite 934
Anchorage, AK 99524
E-mail:
Janine.schoellhorn@ALASKA.gov
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