International Conferences on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - Since the identification of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in 1973, thousands of clinical and laboratory studies have provided evidence demonstrating that prenatal alcohol exposure can result in numerous adverse effects in multiple domains, affecting virtually every system of the body, with lifelong impacts on day-to-day functioning. The term Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) encompasses the broad range of alcohol’s adverse effects, which occur independently of social, ethnic, or cultural background. The prevalence of FASD may be as high as 1.1 - 5.0%, significantly higher than that of other disorders, e.g., autism spectrum disorders and Down Syndrome. FASD is thus an international public health, education, economic, and social concern, and there is an urgent need for better recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of this disorder. The International Conferences on FASD, hosted annually by University of British Columbia Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) from 1987-2019, were among the premier conferences in the field. They provided a unique venue where researchers, professionals, and experts from a broad range of disciplines and from around the world came together to interact, exchange ideas, and share information, not only with each other, but also with the stakeholder community, including family members/caregivers and individuals with FASD as the voice of living experience. On hold since 2020 due to both the pandemic and the closure of IPCE, these conferences are now restarting in Seattle, WA, under the sponsorship of FASD United (formerly the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, NOFAS), and will continue to bring together the same unique mix of researchers, professionals, and the stakeholder community. As before, conferences will be held annually in March or April and will alternate in focus by year. The 2025, 2027, and 2029 conferences will focus on advanced research in epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and intervention: the 9th, 10th and 11th International Conferences on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Research, Results and Relevance. The 2026 and 2028 conferences will similarly focus on research, but with a lens on issues more relevant to adolescents and adults: the 10th and 11th International Research Conferences on Adolescents and Adults with FASD. This R13, a renewal of AA028176, requests partial travel and registration support to grow the attendance of junior US investigators, to support select junior international investigators to promote collaboration with US scientists, and to cover a portion of the extensive audiovisual expenses to assist with dissemination of content beyond those attending in person. Support will be based on merit in alignment with NIH priorities. Funding from the proposed R13 will be critical in furthering the mission and vision of these conferences, providing experiences to shape the careers of junior investigators, building international collaborations, bringing the voice of living experience to researchers, professionals and policy makers to improve the lives of those with FASD and their families, and widely disseminating conference content.
