
The Child Health Study
A major project of our P50 Capstone Center for Healthy Children is the Child Health Study which is a prospective, longitudinal study of a cohort of 1200 child welfare-involved children aged 8-13 from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This study aims to identify mechanisms of health disparities through a day-long assessment which includes physical health, brain health, behavioral health, and emotional health. A major focus of this study is to understand the biologic embedding of stress and the ways in which malleable behavioral factors (healthy lifestyle and behaviors, personal agency, prosocial engagement, regulation) can mitigate its impact. Finding will inform novel interventions promoting resilience so that abused and neglected children have the best chance of leading healthy, productive lives.
Research Team

Chad Shenk, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies
Christine Heim, Ph.D.
Professor of Biobehavioral Health

Hannah M. C. Schreier, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biobehavioral Health

Idan Shalev, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biobehavioral Health
Mark T. Greenberg Early Career Professor for the Study of Children's Health and Development

Jennie G. Noll, Ph.D.
Professor of Human Development and Family Studies
Director: Child Maltreatment Solutions Network
Principal Investigator: NICHD P50 Capstone Center for Healthy Children