The Child and Adolescent Health & Development (CHAD) track provides multidisciplinary training in the health and wellbeing of infants, children and adolescents. Development and growth are emphasized from conception through adolescence. The biological, behavioral, social and psychological processes contributing to child health are studied, and the social, environmental, nutritional, physiological and economic factors that may enhance or impede wellbeing are considered. The determinants of child health and wellbeing, along with systems of care, are examined within an ecological framework that considers individual, family and community influences. In addition, the childhood antecedents of health and disease through the life span are explored, health services are reviewed, legislative and policy implications are analyzed and preventive strategies are critiqued. Students in CHAD not only have the opportunity to learn and work with faculty experts in child and adolescent health, they are also able to take advantage of training and leadership opportunities through the Center for Adolescent Health, the Urban Health Institute, and the Women's and Children's Health Policy Center. Focus areas of PFRH faculty in the CHAD track include: Racial, Social, and Economic Disparities
Significant advances in the field of maternal and child health and been made in recent years, yet there are still large differences in attitude, perception, and accessibility of health care for lower economic, under-represented women and children. Faculty in the Department examine the effects of these disparities and help develop policies and programs to eliminate current inequities in health care. Maternal and Perinatal Health and Wellbeing
Maternal health and maternal behavior during pregancy effect the health and wellbeing of the mother, fetus and newborn. Our faculty study the effects of stress, socioeconomic status, age and race on maternal and perinatal health, both domestically and abroad, to help prevent morbidity and mortality in the mother, fetus and newborn. Families and Schools
Adolescent development is influenced by multiple contexts of which the two most influential are the family and the school. Unique among schools of public health, the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health has a group of faculty focused on family health and the impact it has on individual members. So too, it has a unique team of faculty interested in the school environment and youth health outcomes. Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
While the sexual and reproductive needs of adolescent females have been the focus of study for multiple generations, the needs of adolescent males have only recently been acknowledged. The Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health has the leading group in the nation working on adolescent and young adult reproductive health needs. Neurodevelopment and Health Policy
With an expanding understanding of brain development into early adulthood, what does it mean for reproductive health and other social and health policies for youth? The Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health is well positioned to address these thorny issues with faculty who bridge public health policy and neurodevelopment. Translation of Research to Policy and Programs
How does current research translate into policy and programs? Faculty in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health are continually analyzing the current research and practice of national programs that have a major impact on women and children, including Medicaid/S-CHIP, early intervention, WIC/Nutrition, family planning, and community and migrant health. | 
