Health

At Child Trends, we agree with the World Health Organization’s conceptualization of health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely as the absence of disease. We believe that health is a critical state of being for children and youth to learn, grow, and develop; for families to learn, work, and parent; and for communities to thrive.  Health can be influenced by a range of biological, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and societal circumstances. For children, youth, and families, the experience of health challenges and necessary access to affordable and effective treatments are not evenly distributed: Those who are Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, or LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning); those who have low incomes; or those who have child welfare and/or juvenile justice involvement often experience greater challenges due to the effects of interpersonal and institutional discrimination.  

Latest Research from Activate: A Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Translation Center

Featured Experts

Julianna Carlson

Research Scientist

Elizabeth Cook

Research Scientist II

Sarah Shea Crowne

Senior Research Scientist IIProgram Area Director, Child and Family Well-Being Supports

Jan DeCoursey

Research Scholar, Child Welfare

Lina Guzman

Chief Strategy OfficerDirector of the Hispanic Institute

Hannah Lantos

Senior Research Scientist

Jennifer Manlove

Senior Research Scholar, Sexual and Reproductive Health

Alison McClay

Research Scientist I

Jenita Parekh

Deputy Director for Sexual & Reproductive Health

Manica F. Ramos

Senior Research Scientist II

Jenn Rogers

Senior Research ScholarSenior Program Area Director, Sexual and Reproductive Health

Mindy E. Scott

Senior Research Scholar

Brandon Stratford

Deputy Program Area Director, Education Research

Rebecca Vivrette

Research Scientist II

Alana Ward

Research Communications DirectorProgram Area Director, Client Communications

Elizabeth Wildsmith

Research Scholar, Reproductive Health and Family Formation

Andra Wilkinson

Senior Research Scientist

April Wilson

Research Vice President

Kelly Murphy

Research ScholarProgram Area Director, Youth Development

Quiana Lewis Wallace

Research Scientist II

Kate Welti

Senior Research Scientist

Hannah Rackers

Research Scientist (I)

Nia-Simone Woods

Senior Research Assistant

Jessica Conway

Senior Research Assistant

Maria A. Ramos-Olazagasti

Senior Research Scientist IIProgram Area Director, Population-Focused Research

Emma Pliskin

Research Scientist I

Katy Falletta

Research Scientist I

Cherry Y.E.W. Yamane

Senior Research Analyst

Elizabeth Reddington

Senior Research Analyst

Melanie Grafals

Senior Project Manager

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