Population Trauma-informed Care

Trauma v. Stress

Stress: common response to challenges or demands experienced across individuals and communities; ongoing occurrence can contribute to negative health outcomes at the population level 

Trauma: response to overwhelming stress that exceeds the ability to cope, which can affect individuals, families, and entire communities

• Results from experiences such as violence, systemic inequities, or disasters that can impact health, participation, and well-being across populations.

• It is repeated, systemic, tied to the environment

• Examples: foster care system, disasters (FEMA), institutional trauma, chronic stress environments, human trafficking

• Can be immediate & long-term, disrupting roles, routines, & daily occupations & increasing vulnerability for certain populations

Population health addresses trauma-informed care by asking:

• Who is affected?

• Why are these patterns occurring? 

• What systems or policies contribute?

Trauma can lead to occupational disruption in:

• participation & daily routines

• mental & physical health

• trust & relationships

• long-term health outcomes

Human Trafficking

• Population health crisis 

  • Chronic, repeated trauma

  • systemic vulnerability - poverty, homelessness, disability

  • often under-identified in healthcare & community settings

  • requires coordinated, multi-system response

Needs of Survivors 

• medical care & basic needs

• mental health support

• safety & stable housing

• life skills & vocational support

• legal & social service coordination

Gaps in Systems

• Lack of identification in healthcare & schools

• services not trauma-informed

• fragmented systems - healthcare, legal, social services

• stigma & lack of awareness