Search

The human brain undergoes rapid development during the first years of life. Beginning in utero, a wide array of biological, social, and environmental factors can have lasting impacts on brain structure and function. To understand how prenatal and early life experiences alter neurodevelopmental trajectories and shape health outcomes, several NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices collaborated to support and launch the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. The HBCD Study is a multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study, that will examine human brain, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional development beginning prenatally and planned through early childhood. Influenced by the success of the ongoing Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study (ABCD Study®) and in partnership with the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, the HBCD Study aims to establish a diverse cohort of over 7000 pregnant participants to understand how early life experiences, including prenatal exposure to addictive substances and adverse social environments as well as their interactions with an individuals genes, can affect neurodevelopmental trajectories and outcomes. Knowledge gained from the HBCD Study will help identify targets for early interventions and inform policies that promote resilience and mitigate the neurodevelopmental effects of adverse childhood experiences and environments.

This article explores the challenges of recruiting and retaining participants in longitudinal studies, with a focus on historically underrepresented populations and vulnerable groups. It specifically examines the logistical barriers that can hinder participant engagement, such as transportation, childcare, lodging, and meals. The study emphasizes the need for guidance and support to ensure equitable participation and highlights the importance of ongoing engagement with participants and stakeholders. The article also discusses strategies for addressing these barriers and provides recommendations for funding agencies, research institutions, and research teams to support diverse representation in research. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of providing appropriate meals and snacks to meet the dietary needs of participants. [Extracted from the article]

Disparities in health care access and quality of care like affordability and the lack of a properly trained workforce are associated with a greater risk for substance misuse. In pursuing health equity, the behavioral health workforce must ensure interventions are accessible and meaningful to all populations and allocate resources to those with the highest burden of substance use-related consequences. Behavioral health clinicians can support efforts to achieve equity by engaging with upstream, community-level prevention efforts aimed at providing culturally responsive prevention services. Coordination across the continuum of care that includes cultural humility, trauma-informed approaches, diverse perspectives, and community engagement can lead to more equitable and accessible care. This article describes health equity in the context of substance misuse prevention, considers health equity across the continuum of behavioral health services, and provides an overview of promising practices that align clinical care with prevention work to promote healthy, equitable community conditions., Competing Interests: The authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests., (Copyright © 2024 by the American Psychiatric Association.)