Better decision tools to prevent child and teen abuse and neglect

Research Project 1

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11176145

This project will build computer tools to help doctors, social workers, and schools find causes of child abuse and neglect and guide the right support for affected children and families.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11176145 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If your child has been harmed or is at risk, this work aims to make help more precise by using large healthcare and child-welfare records to learn what factors actually cause harm. The team uses advanced causal data science to separate true causes from things that just happen alongside maltreatment. Then they plan to turn those findings into practical decision tools that professionals can use to choose better, more targeted actions for each child and family. That could mean interventions that more directly reduce harm and improve long-term health and safety for children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and adolescents who are at risk of or have experienced abuse or neglect, their caregivers, and the clinics or child-welfare agencies that serve them.

Not a fit: People with no history or risk of child maltreatment (or adults unrelated to child services) would not see direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the tools could help professionals prevent some cases of abuse or neglect and provide more effective, tailored support to harmed children and families.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior work has used predictive models for maltreatment risk, but combining robust causal modeling with practical decision-support tools for frontline practitioners is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.