Struggling to Stem the Tide of Child Maltreatment

Child maltreatment is a significant public health issue with severe consequences for survivors. As pediatricians, we witness the devastating effects of child abuse and neglect on a daily basis. However, the evidence on primary care-based interventions to prevent child maltreatment is largely insuffi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association 2024-03, Vol.331 (11), p.918-919
Main Authors: Schilling, Samantha, Wood, Joanne N, Christian, Cindy W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child
Child abuse & neglect
Child Abuse - prevention & control
Humans
Pediatrics
Prevention
Primary care
Public health
Risk factors
Risk reduction
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Summary:Child maltreatment is a significant public health issue with severe consequences for survivors. As pediatricians, we witness the devastating effects of child abuse and neglect on a daily basis. However, the evidence on primary care-based interventions to prevent child maltreatment is largely insufficient and inconclusive. This does not mean that prevention efforts should be abandoned. Instead, we need to recognize that child maltreatment is a complex societal problem that requires multifactorial solutions. Prevention strategies should target multiple contributing factors and focus on proximal measures of maltreatment. It is also important to consider the societal factors that perpetuate child maltreatment, such as economic and social inequalities. While the current evidence may be lacking, primary care clinicians play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable children. We should continue our efforts to support families and mitigate the risk factors for child abuse and neglect, even as we await further research and evidence.
ISSN:0098-7484
1538-3598
1538-3598
DOI:10.1001/jama.2024.0899