TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Child Abuse and Neglect A1 - Ports, Katie A. A1 - Fortson, Beverly L. A2 - Boulton, Matthew L. A2 - Wallace, Robert B. PY - 2022 T2 - Maxcy-Rosenau-Last Public Health & Preventive Medicine, 16e AB - Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a serious public health problem that affects millions of children around the world.1,2 While some populations are more vulnerable to CAN, exposure affects everyone—all races, genders, socioeconomic statuses, and geographic boundaries. Exposure to CAN has far-reaching impacts beyond a single time-period, person, or generation. CAN is often associated with short-term health consequences, such as broken bones, bruises, and mental health issues [e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depressive symptoms]. However, the science of brain development, childhood adversity, and toxic stress demonstrate strong associations between CAN and longer-term health consequences, including changes in the physiological development of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, physical and mental health problems, engagement in risky health behaviors, limited life opportunities, and premature death.3–9 Addressing and treating exposure to CAN is important, but the goal in preventing CAN is clear—to stop this violence from happening in the first place. In this chapter, we define and describe CAN from a public health perspective, including both the magnitude and the health and social burden of CAN, as well as risk and protective factors for exposure. We will also provide evidence-based strategies for the prevention of CAN and prevention implementation considerations. SN - PB - McGraw Hill CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/25 UR - accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182670140 ER -