Today, September 9 – the ninth day of the ninth month – at 9:09 a.m., there will be a “Pregnant Pause” for 99 seconds wherein:
- men and women of all ages show their “baby bumps” for the 13th annual Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Dayat
- Toronto’s Union Station – and
- around the world
- everyone is reminded that during the nine months of pregnancy, women should abstain from alcohol because:
There is no safe time and no safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy. The message is clear today – alcohol and pregnancy do not mix,
Dr. David McKeown, the Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto
The outcomes of mothers consuming alcohol during pregnancy are:
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) which is the most common developmental disability,
- occurring in about one of every 100 births in Canada;
- describing the range of physical, cognitive, learning and behavioural impairments that can occur in individuals with FASD;
- mental health and addiction problems, school disruption, family breakdown, conflicts with the law, homelessness and unemployment, all of which are common in adolescents and adults with FASD.
- Every year 3,000 babies in Canada are born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
- It is estimated that more than 130,000 children and adults in Ontario are currently living with this lifelong disability.
- In Canada, the economic impact is estimated to be $5.3 billion annually for special education, mental health, social services, addictions and the justice system.
“To reduce the rate of FASD, it is essential that pregnant women are provided with support and information in an effort to increase their awareness of the harmful effects of using alcohol during pregnancy.”
Happy Pregnant Pause!
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
News Release
September 8, 2011
Taking a pregnant pause in honour of International FASD Day
Men and women of all ages will be showing their “baby bumps” for the 13th annual Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Day “Pregnant Pause” at Toronto’s Union Station – and around the world – for 99 seconds on September 9. The ninth day of the ninth month at 9:09 a.m. provides an annual reminder to everyone that during the nine months of pregnancy, women should abstain from alcohol.
“There is no safe time and no safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy. The message is clear today – alcohol and pregnancy do not mix,” said Dr. David McKeown, the Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto.
FASD is an umbrella term used to describe the range of physical, cognitive, learning and behavioural impairments that can occur in individuals whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
According to Health Canada, FASD is the most common developmental disability, occurring in about one of every 100 births. In Canada, the economic impact is estimated to be $5.3 billion annually for special education, mental health, social services, addictions and the justice system.
Research indicates that early diagnosis and access to appropriate intervention tends to reduce mental health and addiction problems, school disruption, family breakdown, conflicts with the law, homelessness and unemployment, all of which are common in adolescents and adults with FASD.
To reduce the rate of FASD, it is essential that pregnant women are provided with support and information in an effort to increase their awareness of the harmful effects of using alcohol during pregnancy.
More information about the most common, most expensive, yet most preventable disability in the industrialized world is available at http://www.toronto.ca/health or http://fasday.com.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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