Creating a Healthier Future through Prevention of Child Maltreatment

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Beyond the inherent moral implications, child abuse is a crime, a tragedy, and a significant public health burden. In the United States, approximately 1 in 5 children have experienced some form of maltreatment, including physical and sexual abuse and the often overlooked danger of neglect. Child maltreatment results in over 1,700 deaths each year; however, the negative health effects reach well beyond these fatalities. In addition to physical injuries, maltreatment causes stress that can disrupt brain development. Thus, children who are maltreated are at higher risk for adult health problems such as alcoholism, smoking, depression, drug abuse, obesity, high-risk sexual behaviors, suicide, and certain chronic diseases.

This session of Public Health Grand Rounds focused on the epidemiology and costs of child maltreatment, the need for partnerships, and the potential for policy interventions to combat this urgent public health issue.

Presented By

James A. Mercy, PhD
Acting Division Director, Division of Violence Prevention,
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC
Presentation: Societal Burden of Child Maltreatment and Public Health’s Role in Prevention

Janet R. Saul, PhD
Acting Special Advisor, Division of Violence Prevention,
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC
Presentation: How Communities Can Prevent Child Maltreatment

Shairi R. Turner, MD, MPH
Deputy Secretary for Health, Florida Department of Health
Presentation: A State’s Perspective on Child Maltreatment Prevention

Patrick T. McCarthy, PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Presentation: Policy and Program Approaches for Preventing Child Maltreatment

Facilitated By

Tanja Popovic, M.D., Ph.D., Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
Shane Joiner, Communication Manager, Public Health Grand Rounds