Grant supports child health podcasts

CMU will continue to educate health care providers, clinicians and educators on topics related to child development and the treatment and prevention of children's health issues, thanks to a grant from the Children's Foundation.

The $50,000 grant supports a podcast series titled "CMU Shifting Mindsets for Better Health!" The podcasts are a collaborative initiative by the CMU College of Medicine, the College of the Arts and Media, the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions.

"Topics related to children and family stress are especially needed during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Alison Arnold, director for CMU's Interdisciplinary Center for Community Health and Wellness. "In Michigan, more than two-thirds of adults have experienced one or more adverse childhood experience. Child trauma and toxic stress are associated with physical illness and risk behaviors such as addiction, mental illness, asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and other conditions."

The initiative builds upon a recent podcast series about adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, funded by the College of the Arts and Media, "Responding to ACEs: Resources for Resilience."

"CMU Shifting Mindsets for Better Health!" is expected to be available in late 2020.