Health Impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Problem
Over 600 children are evaluated at the Duke Child Abuse and Neglect Medical Evaluation Clinic each year.
Solution
Characterize risk factors and possible intervention points in electronic health records and state administrative data for children who experienced maltreatment.
Impact
- Prevent child maltreatment in the health and social service systems through development of a provider alert system
- Examine health outcomes for children who experience maltreatment
- Develop biomarkers of ACEs to understand the biological mechanisms linking ACEs to poor health outcomes
- Determine which treatment strategies are most effective after maltreatment has occurred
Biology of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Problem
ACEs have a profound impact on childhood and lifelong health; however, we do not understand the biological mechanisms that underlie the connection between ACEs and poor health outcomes.
Solution
Screen children and their parents for ACEs and social disparities during primary care encounters and take blood samples to develop biological markers of ACEs.
Impact
- Elucidation of biological markers and mechanisms underlying health trajectories
- Identify children who exhibit resilience in the face of ACEs and other social disparities to develop strategies to improve health and well-being outcomes for all children
- Develop randomized controlled trials to test medical, behavioral, and environmental interventions to improve lifelong health and well-being
- Improve population health
Translating Duke Health-CHDI Pilot Grant Awardee
Intergenerational Transmission of Resiliency to ACEs
Investigators
William E. Copeland, PhD; E. Jane Costello, PhD; Alaattin Erkanli, PhD
