Foundation for Alcohol Related Research

The Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) is committed to increasing awareness amongst all South Africans regarding the importance of not consuming alcohol during pregnancy to ensure Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) prevention in our country. 

FASD can only be caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy and can lead to a range of life-long cognitive disabilities, behavioural challenges, physical disabilities and birth defects. FASD causes permanent damage, but it is 100% preventable by not drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Unfortunately, we cannot ignore the reality that South Africa has by far the highest FASD rate in the world. The World Health Organisation estimates that less than 1% of individuals are affected by FASD globally. However, in South Africa our country’s FASD Prevalence rate is estimated to be 11%. 

To date FARR has conducted 19 FASD Prevalence Studies* in 5 of the 9 provinces of South Africa (Free State, Gauteng, Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape) since our establishment...