FASD United is partnering with the Center for Health Services Research (CHSR) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) on a new four-year federally funded fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) health services research initiative in the Military Health System (MHS).

Launched with a kickoff workshop in Washington, D.C. on September 21, 2022, the FASD Prevention and Clinical Guidelines Research initiative will investigate the impact of FASD on military families and the working age population including parents and prospective parents on factors such as resource allocation, burden of disease, quality and efficiency of care, access to care, and population-level health outcomes. 

The workshop featured FASD researchers and experts including Drs. Jeff Wozniak, Christie Petrenko, Michelle Kuhn, and Amy Loree, and FASD project officers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration and the Administration for Children and Families. FASD United’s Susan Elsworth provided an overview of the FASD United Affiliate Network and Jennifer Wisdahl moderated a panel highlighting the FASD experience with Rebecca Tillou and Sean Bosquet.

Project findings will support the development of medical and behavioral health interventions to support individuals with FASD and their military families. The project’s evidence-base will inform clinical practice guidelines for replication in civilian systems of care. Visit CHSR for research objectives and other project details.  

The MHS, operated within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), is one of America’s largest and most complex health care institutions, and the world’s preeminent military health care delivery operation. The MHS provides health services through both direct and private sector care to approximately 9.6 million beneficiaries, composed of uniformed service members, military retirees, and family members.

CHSR provides direct support services to DoD and the MHS, conducts research in support of MHS strategic goals and objectives, provides Health Services Research (HSR) training to students and faculty, and supports civilian HSR organizations.

FASD United is the voice of the FASD community and strives to: Expand capacity of FASD-informed diagnostic, medical, behavioral health, and non-clinical services; advocate for policy changes guaranteeing full inclusion in all systems of care and benefits programs for the FASD community, and; prevent prenatal exposure to alcohol and other harmful substances. Founded in 1990, FASD United serves the FASD community, disseminates and translates research findings, organizes community-based networks, addresses the implications of stigma and bias, and develops education and training standards.