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Published on: January 24, 2025
Childhood Maltreatment, Public Service System Contact, and Preventable Death in Young Adulthood
Insights
Child maltreatment history increases the risk of injury-related death in young adulthood. Early emergency room treatment for intentional injury and juvenile offenses also elevate mortality risk, particularly firearm deaths among Black youth.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Child Welfare
Background:
- Child maltreatment is a significant public health concern with long-term consequences.
- Understanding risk factors for injury-related mortality in young adults is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between child maltreatment history and injury-related death in young adulthood.
- To identify specific risk factors and potential systems for preventive interventions.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal cohort study comparing low-income children reported for maltreatment with matched nonreported peers.
- Survival analysis using hazard ratios (HR) to assess risk over time.
Main Results:
- Maltreatment reports were linked to a 9% increased risk of injury-related death (HR = 1.09).
- History of status/delinquent offenses (HR = 2.24) and prior ER treatment for intentional injury (HR = 3.95) significantly increased death risk.
- Firearm-related deaths accounted for over 50% of all deaths, predominantly among Black youth.
Conclusions:
- Child maltreatment history is a significant predictor of young adult injury-related mortality.
- Early intervention for juvenile offenses and intentional injuries may mitigate risks.
- Targeted prevention strategies are needed for high-risk populations, especially concerning firearm violence in Black youth.
Abstract:
Data from a longitudinal cohort study of low-income children reported for maltreatment matched to similarly poor nonreported children were used to examine intentional and unintentional injury deaths in young adulthood. The goal was to examine the unique contribution of maltreatment history and identify other potential systems for preventive efforts. Maltreatment reports were associated with increased risk of injury-related death per 6-month intervals (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.09, p < .05). Young adults with histories of both status offenses and delinquent offenses were at greater risk for later death (HR = 2.24, p < .05) as were those with histories of emergency room (ER) treatment for intentional injury prior to age 18 years (HR =3.95, p < .05). More than 50% of the deaths were firearm-related; nearly all firearm deaths occurred among Black youth. Implications for prevention within at-risk populations are discussed.
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