Research Seminar by Dr Luisa Zuccolo, University of Bristol

Better safe or better worry? Evidence and messaging around abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy

This talk will first provide an overview on what we currently know about the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure, reviewing the evidence base, its robustness and remaining uncertainties. The talk will then discuss messaging, including current and historical official advice on alcohol use to pregnant women, the basis for such advice and any changes, and examples of media portrayal of the epidemiological evidence and changes in guidelines.

Dr Luisa Zuccolo is Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology at the University of Bristol. She obtained a PhD in Genetic Epidemiology from the University of Bristol and currently researches perinatal and reproductive epidemiology, maternal and child health, and the study of public health messaging and misinformation on social media.