The Children’s Health & Discovery Initiative (CHDI) held a launch event on Thursday, May 31st, 2018, to highlight research into the prenatal and early life factors that influence lifelong health and well-being. Dr. Benjamin Goldstein, Assistant Professor of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, serves as the Data Science & Analytic Leader for the CHDI. Along with his team of staff statisticians – Alicia Ellis, PhD, and Angie Wu, MB – Dr. Goldstein is responsible for coordinating analytic activity across the initiatives four pillars. The data science team is also currently working closely with Duke Health Technology Solutions (DHTS) to develop an EHR based Children's Health Datamart to capture the health of kids seen at Duke University Health System.
The CHDI is a multidisciplinary effort sponsored by the Department of Pediatrics and the Translating Duke Health Initiative that promotes innovative research that will positively impact childhood and lifelong health. The goal of the initiative is to “end disease where it begins” by identifying early life factors that contribute to the development of disease throughout an individual’s lifespan and to develop prevention, mitigation, and intervention strategies that will improve health and well-being.
The launch event, which was held at the Chesterfield Building in downtown Durham, featured remarks from Dean Mary Klotman; presentations from Sallie Permar, MD, PhD, the Director of the CHDI and each the CHDI’s research focus leaders: Kyle Walsh, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery (Genes and Biology); Heather Stapleton, Associate Professor in the Nicholas School of the Environment (Physical Environment); Charlene Wong, MD, MSHP, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Heath & Behavior Needs), Beth Gifford, PhD, Assistant Research Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy (Social & Economic Factors). The event was capped off by remarks from Ilina Ewen, Chief of Staff to the First Lady of North Carolina, and Ann Reed, MD, the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. Ms. Ewen detailed initiatives in the State of North Carolina and the Office of the First Lady of North Carolina focused on the well-being of children, including foster care, child abuse and neglect, childhood hunger, and literacy. Dr. Reed closed the event, detailing the Department of Pediatrics commitment to supporting research that will give all children a chance at a healthy and productive life, working to end disease where it begins.
To learn more about the Children’s Health & Discovery Initiative, please visit the Initiative’s website.