State Responses to Alcohol Use and Pregnancy: Findings From the Alcohol Policy Information System |
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| Authors: | Laurie Drabble Sue Thomas Lisa O’Connor Sarah C M Roberts |
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| Institution: | 1. Social Work, San Jose State University, San Jose, California, USA;2. Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Santa Cruz, California, USA;3. The National Center for Youth Law, Oakland, California, USA;4. Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA |
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| Abstract: | This article describes U.S. state policies related to alcohol use during pregnancy, using data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Alcohol Policy Information System. Specifically, this study examines trends in policies enacted by states over time and types of policies enacted across states in the United States, with a focus on whether laws were supportive or punitive toward women. Findings revealed substantial variability in characteristics of policies (19 primarily supportive, 12 primarily punitive, 12 with a mixed approach, and 8 with no policies). Findings underscore the need to examine possible consequences of policies, especially of punitive policies and “mixed” approaches. |
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| Keywords: | alcohol consumption fetal alcohol spectrum disorder policy pregnancy prevention women |
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