NEWS BRIEFING: 9 in 10 Australian youths in detention have a severe brain disorder, 1 in 3 have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Embargoed until: Publicly released:

*** RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE *** Nine in ten incarcerated young people have at least one form of severe brain disorder, two thirds have at least three, and one third has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), according to an Australian study. The authors assessed 99 young people and say most had been previously undiagnosed, despite the youths having had multiple contact with the government and other agencies. These are some of the highest reported rates of FASD and other brain disorders among incarcerated youth in the world, the researchers add.

Journal/conference: BMJ Open

Organisation/s: Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, Curtin University

Media Briefing/Press Conference

From: Australian Science Media Centre

Nine in ten incarcerated young people have at least one form of severe brain disorder, two thirds have at least three, and one third has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), according to an Australian study. The authors assessed 99 young people and say most had been previously undiagnosed, despite the youths having had multiple contact with the government and other agencies. These are some of the highest reported rates of FASD and other brain disorders among incarcerated youth in the world, the researchers add.

Join the briefing to hear the authors present their research and its implications.

Speakers, all from the Telethon Kids Institute:

  • Professor Carol Bower is a Senior Principal Research Fellow and Director of FASD Research Australia
  • Clinical Associate Professor Raewyn Mutch is a Paediatrician and Researcher at the Alcohol & Pregnancy & FASD Research Program (Q&A only)
  • Hayley Passmore is a PhD Candidate and Research Assistant (Q&A only)

---

Date: Tue 13 Feb 2018
Start Time: 12:00 noon AEDT
Duration: Approx 45 min
Venue: Online

Attachments:

  •  Video
    Australian Science Media Centre
    Web page
    Briefing recording (N.B due to a technical error, the first couple of minutes were not recorded. Please refer to the attached powerpoint slides for content.)
  •  Other
    Telethon Kids Institute
    Web page
    Photos, video and audio grabs from the researchers
  •  Research
    The BMJ
    Web page
    Please link to the article in online versions of your report.

News for:

Australia
WA

Media contact details for this story are only visible to registered journalists.