Since her nomination for the Visionary of the Year award in 2015, pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris has remained steadfast in her goal to broaden the conversation about the link between childhood trauma and health. In a world where many still believe mental and behavioral health is disconnected from physical health, Burke-Harris’ continues to make a compelling case for how the two are synchronous.
“The definition of trauma is changing. Trauma used to be mental and behavioral only, but now data shows us that a public health response does not only include mental or behavioral intervention, it has to include primary care,” Burke-Harris said.
In 2001, Burke Harris opened The Center For Youth Wellness in Hunter’s Point, where she saw young patients daily that showed physical and emotional signs of toxic stress and adversity. Although toxic stress and adversity have not been historically acknowledged as a catalyst for major health crises, Burke Harris believes there is a powerful connection between the two. When she began using a comprehensive screening process that pinpointed signs of toxic stress and trauma in young children at the center, Burke Harris knew she was on to something big.
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