McGuire & New Ca Surgeon General to Discuss High Rate of Childhood Trauma in Humboldt County

In January, Governor Newsom appointed Dr. Nadine Burke Harris California’s first Surgeon General.  In the press release announcing the appointment, Newsom’s office wrote,

There is overwhelming consensus in the scientific community around early warning signs and childhood determinants of serious health outcomes. As Surgeon General, Dr. Burke Harris will urge policymakers at every level of government and leaders across the state to consider the social determinants of health, especially for children. Her work will focus on combating the root causes of serious health conditions — like adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress — and using the platform of Surgeon General to reach young families across the state.

The introduction of Dr. Burke Harris begins,

As a pediatrician, entrepreneur and nonprofit CEO, Dr. Burke Harris has dedicated her professional career to understanding the link between adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress in children, and the effect both have on future health outcomes. She is the founder and CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness (CYW) – a national leader in the effort to advance pediatric medicine, raise public awareness, and transform the way society responds to children exposed to adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress.

This is a press release from the office of State Senator Mike McGuire:

Senator McGuire, California’s Surgeon General and First 5 Humboldt come together for groundbreaking Town Hall in Humboldt

Critical community meeting will be focused on preventing and addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences

Sacramento, CA – Three years ago, Senator McGuire and First 5 Humboldt came together for a first-of-its-kind town hall focused on improving the lives of kids here on the North Coast. Unfortunately, Humboldt County has had some of the highest numbers for childhood abuse, neglect and trauma in California (also known as ACES – Adverse Childhood Experiences).

Since that first town hall, it’s been an all-hands-on-deck effort to reverse this disturbing trend and Senator McGuire and First 5 Humboldt are coming back together for a special update to talk about the progress that’s been made, and joining them will be special guest Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California’s Surgeon General, to talk about ACEs and Humboldt County’s kids.

Dr. Burke Harris, Ca Surgeon General [photo from her Twitter account]

Dr. Burke Harris is a pediatrician and pioneer on childhood trauma.“While there’s still a lot of work to do, progress has been made to protect our kids and help them thrive over the last few years here locally and across the state. We’re thrilled to be coming back together and to team up with California’s Surgeon General and First 5 Humboldt next Thursday. We’ll be focused on advancing desperately needed solutions to tackle this crisis – here at home and across the state – in the months and years to come,” Senator Mike McGuire said.“The science has shown us that childhood adversity is a root cause of many of the greatest public health challenges we face today – increasing the risk of serious conditions ranging from heart disease, chronic lung disease, and suicide to gun violence, domestic violence and substance dependence. ACEs impact all of our communities throughout California and it is an honor to visit Humboldt County for the opportunity to understand the local approaches being taken to address the impacts of this public health threat,” said Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California Surgeon General.“First 5 Humboldt is excited to work with Senator McGuire to once again shine a light on how the Humboldt community is coming together to prevent childhood adversity and promote resilience for our children and our long-term health. This Town Hall will be a truly special event, as we welcome California’s first Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, to Humboldt County. Dr. Burke Harris’ work has been an inspiration to public health and child advocates around the world,” said Mary Ann Hansen, Executive Director of First 5 Humboldt.Here are the event details:WHAT: Senator McGuire and First 5 Humboldt’s Town Hall on Adverse Childhood Experiences featuring California’s Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke HarrisWHEN: Next Thursday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m.WHERE: Sequoia Conference Center, 901 Myrtle Ave, Eureka CA 95501

In this 15 minute video Dr. Burke Harris talks about how adverse childhood experiences affect health across a lifetime.