CTSI seminar highlights health equity for children with disabilities

Concepts of health equity and health disparities, and an examination of intersectional factors related to childhood disabilities, will be discussed at the next UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Community of Scholars Seminar.

Amy Houtrow, MD, PhD, MPH, Vice-Chair for Pediatric Rehabilitation, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pediatrics, and Vice-Chair for Quality, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, will present “Health Equity for Children with Disabilities” online via Zoom at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23. Register here to watch the seminar live.

Houtrow was invited to speak by Denise Lillvis, PhD, MPA, Assistant Professor, Division of Health Services Policy and Practice, Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions. Lillvis is a member of the 2022 CTSI K Scholar cohort.

“Dr. Houtrow is widely known for her forward-thinking, interdisciplinary approach to research,” Lillvis says. “She has developed expertise on a range of topics — such as health outcomes, health equity, caregiver challenges, and policy — for the purpose of improving the lives of children and youth with special healthcare needs and their families.”

Houtrow’s main clinical focus is caring for children with disabling conditions and helping to improve function and quality of life to the greatest degree possible. Her patients include children with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, rheumatologic disorders, brain and spinal cord injuries, and orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and neurological disorders and conditions. 

Complementing her clinical focus, Houtrow’s research focus is on childhood disability trends, advancing health equity, and developing channels to improve service delivery.

Among her current projects are studies titled “Characterization of the Emotional and Physical Health of Mothers of Children with Special Health Care Needs in the United States” and “Differences in Reporting Child’s Health and Developmental Concerns Between Mothers and Fathers.” In addition, Houtrow is a collaborator on the DIVERSE Collective, an effort to identify and describe possible solutions for marginalized children with disabilities.

For questions about the CTSI Community of Scholars Seminar Series, write to scholar1@buffalo.edu or call 716-829-4718.