What we do

Dedicated to improving the health of Iowa's children through evidence-based research, we are currently focusing our efforts on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and Trauma Informed Care (TIC).

ACES is a statewide network of perinatal and pediatric clinical sites.

This network includes:

• 78 hospitals that are visited by UI high-risk obstetrical and neonatal faculty
• 47 pediatric subspecialty clinics that focus on chronic developmental problems and specific diseases

The multidisciplinary TIC Task Force raises awareness about the profound affect that trauma has on children, parents, families, providers, and communities. We focus on educating ourselves and University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics staff about the importance of using trauma informed systems of care across all disciplines.

Life Course Perspective

We've adopted the Life Course Perspective, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, that recognizes certain risks, behaviors, and genetic factors, such as environmental exposures and diet, significantly shape an individual's path to physical and emotional well-being at an early age.  

That's why we promote and incorporate research that identifies proven factors that lead to healthier lives.

Research History

Pediatric research was first developed in the Spring of 2009. It is funded by a grant from an Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award to the University of Iowa.