Health Outcomes

This article discusses the role pediatricians and other health care professionals have in supporting runaway youth, addressing their unique health needs, fostering positive relationships within their families and with other supportive adults, and connecting them with available community resources. This report provides clinical guidance for pediatricians and other health care professionals regarding (1) the identification of adolescents who are at risk for running away or being thrown away and (2) the management of the unique medical, mental health, and social needs of these youth. The authors contend that pediatricians can significantly reduce risk and improve long-term outcomes for runaway youth in partnership with national, state, and local resources. (author abstract modified)

This report from SchoolHouse Connection presents a study that used 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data from 17 states. Starting in 2017, YRBS included two questions related to homelessness for the first time since its inception in 1990 by the CDC. The researchers compared seven self-reported risk factors and health outcomes of high school students experiencing homelessness with their housed peers. The findings indicate youth experiencing homelessness have poorer health outcomes and exhibit higher risk behaviors. For instance, homeless youth are more likely to experience dating violence, misuse prescription pain medication, and attempt suicide. This report also includes qualitative data from interviews with 49 young people who participated in the SchoolHouse Connection’s Youth Leadership and Scholarship Program and the National Network for Youth’s National Youth Advisory Council. The researchers outline policies and practices to help school systems improve their implementation of the protections and supports provided to homeless children and youth by federal law.

This toolkit, intended for healthcare providers and their teams, provides information and resources on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the developmental and physical harms they may cause. One in four children in Maine experience two or more ACEs, including household dysfunction (parental substance abuse, witnessing domestic violence, loss of a parent), abuse (physical, sexual, and mental), neglect, and neighborhood violence. Children exposed to multiple ACEs have significantly higher rates of developmental delays, anxiety, depression, and other behavioral concerns. This toolkit provides background on ACEs, screening and treatment resources, tools for implementing the Survey of Well-being of Young Children (SWYC) developmental screening, and supporting research. Also included are printable factsheets from the American Academy of Pediatrics Resilience Project.