Research That Spans The Translational Spectrum

In the Division of General and Community Pediatrics, faculty members collaborate broadly and engage in a wide variety of research that ultimately addresses improving the health of children. From environmental and social determinants of health to healthcare quality to community health, faculty conduct epidemiologic, educational, qualitative, implementation science, outcomes, and population health research.

A growing portfolio of interventional studies aim to achieve the following outcomes: increase family engagement in care, improve clinical competency of trainees, decrease vaccine hesitancy, increase breast feeding rates and duration, prevent and decrease obesity, decrease externalizing behaviors, improve the coordination of care for children with medical and social complexity, improve the health of foster youth, reduce neighborhood preterm birth rates, increase reading proficiency, decrease food insecurity, reduce barriers to high-quality child care, and reduce health disparities in the community. Interventions deploy a variety of innovative strategies, including virtual reality based education for clinicians and family members, automated text messages, telehealth visit, web-based portal and mobile device applications to support chronic disease management, integration of behavioral health services with primary care practices and schools, new care management and payment models for children with medical complexity, identification of children from high risk neighborhoods using geospatial mapping software, and partnering with children, families, community and civic leaders, educators, social service providers, faith leaders, healthcare providers, and others through the All Children Thrive collaborative learning network. In addition, our longitudinal research continues with $5.3M in NIH funding awarded to Kimberly Yolton, PhD, and colleagues outside the division (Patrick Ryan, PhD, Kim Cecil, PhD). This funding will allow follow-up to age 18 in two cohorts (Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study and Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)) to examine the association of air pollution exposure with the emergence and persistence of mental health disorders and neuroimaging outcomes from early adolescence to early adulthood.

Across the division, our faculty published 102 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals this year, attesting to the dissemination of research, clinical, and education findings that are making a significant impact.