Violent injuries can have lasting physical and emotional effects, especially for adolescents and young adults. Access to appropriate health care and victim services is crucial in the aftermath to address both physical and psychological needs.
A recent study published in the journal, Pediatrics, explores how youth in these age groups engage with health care and victim services following violent injuries. The findings emphasize the importance of timely medical care—not only to treat physical injuries and prevent sexually transmitted infections but also to address the psychological impact of such events.
“Unfortunately, many young survivors delay seeking care due to barriers such as fear, stigma, or a lack of awareness about available resources,” explains lead researcher Dr. Keith Hullenaar. “Understanding these patterns is essential for health care providers, educators, and policymakers to create strategies that offer accessible, youth-centered services.”
The study highlights significant declines in hospital-based care over time, alongside consistently low utilization of victim support services. These trends emphasize the need to evaluate and expand the reach of current health care and support systems for adolescents affected by violence.
The work was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (1K99HD112509).
Investigators on this study represent the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center (HIPRC), and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the School-Based Mental Health, Assessment, Research and Training (SMART) Center at the University of Washington.
Hear more from Dr. Hullenaar on this study: