Action to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Northern Territory: Benefits of adopting a collective leadership approach — Agentur Pty Ltd
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  3. Action to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Northern Territory: Benefits of adopting a collective leadership approach

Action to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Northern Territory: Benefits of adopting a collective leadership approach (176)

Joanna Murray 1 , James A Smith 2 , Pasqualina Coffey 3 , Victor Nossar 4
  1. Senior Policy Officer, Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, NT Department of Health, Darwin
  2. Manager - Policy and Planning, Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, NT Department of Health, Darwin
  3. Public Health Registrar, Health Gains Planning Unit, Department of Health, Darwin
  4. Program Leader - Child and Youth Health, Health Development Branch, Department of Health, Darwin

Background:

Alcohol misuse represents a significant burden on the NT community in terms of short and long term health impacts. It is a complex issue that requires strong leadership and creative solutions from a range of professionals both internal and external to the health sector. One such topical example relates to addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Methods:

This paper will draw on contemporary evidence and existing strategies being adopted by the NT Department of Health to promote action on the prevention of FASD within the context of an enhanced focus on addressing alcohol related harms across the NT.

Results/Discussions:

FASD is has been identified as a serious health and social problem, which affects individuals, families and communities, both indigenous and non-indigenous, across the Northern Territory. FASD inevitably has a significant impact on early childhood, education, mental health, disability, employment and social services systems. The NT Department of Health recognises that FASD is wholly preventable, and asserts that action to prevent FASD requires a collective leadership approach across a range of government and non-government service systems. This approach will support the targeting of limited health promotion and prevention resources to the most effective strategies. The development of a more systematic and more structured response to FASD in NT will enhance action to prevent FASD among the most vulnerable populations in the NT. Ultimately this will build the capacity to deliver greater health equity in relation to FASD and potentially other associated health and social issues.

Conclusions/implications:

This presentation will discuss the benefits of, and strategies currently being developed to adopt, a collective leadership approach to prevent alcohol misuse in the NT, including issues such as FASD.

#equity14