Interdisciplinary approaches to understand traumatic stress as a public health problem

Abstract

In November 2016 researchers, clinicians, and student experts gathered in Dallas, Texas, USA for the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). From the description of the meeting theme forward it was acknowledged that interdisciplinary approaches will be required to fully understand traumatic stress as a public health problem, including epidemiology, biostatistics and health services research. Further, it was recognized that knowledge translation would be of critical importance if we were to increase public awareness of - and destigmatize - posttraumatic biopsychosocial problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, we recognized innovative technologies as potentially usefully applied to public health strategies, including media and internet usage might aid knowledge translation and have a direct impact on help-seeking and trauma-informed care. The present special issue of the journal brings a collection of papers from some of the most impactful and innovative ideas that were presented in Dallas.

Keywords

• posttraumatic stress disorder (ptsd)
• trauma
• public health
• innovative technologies