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Review
. 2018 Apr;30(2):276-284.
doi: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000000606.

Measurement framework for the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes research program

Courtney K Blackwell  1 , Lauren S Wakschlag, Richard C Gershon, David Cella; with the ECHO PRO Core
Affiliations
Review

Measurement framework for the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes research program

Courtney K Blackwell et al. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Diverse methodological approaches pose significant challenges to assess environmental exposure effects on child health outcomes. Although transdisciplinary research efforts offer unique opportunities for understanding the complex and multidimensional facets of lifespan health and disease trajectories, a shared measurement strategy is necessary for ensuring cohesion and comprehensibility across disciplines and domains.

Recent findings: Exposure science often focuses on one life stage, one primary outcome domain and/or one environmental context without regard for understanding the complexity of exposome pathways and outcomes across a developmental continuum. As part of the National Institutes of Health Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program, the Person Reported Outcomes Core developed a unifying measurement framework that takes a lifespan development approach to assess physical, mental and social health outcomes within the complex matrix of environmental exposure pathways.

Summary: The proposed framework offers a shared methodological approach to health outcome assessment, with a particular emphasis on person-reported outcomes. This framework will be instrumental for future large-scale consortia and transdisciplinary team science efforts by providing a common structure, measurement guidance and consistent terminology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest:

Drs. Cella and Gershon received funding from National Institutes of Health for the development of the NIH Toolbox (HHS-N-260-2006-00007-C) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) (U01AR052177). Dr. Wakschlag received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health for the development of the Multidimensional Assessment Profile of Disruptive Behavior (MAP-DB) (1R01MH082830) and the Disruptive Behavior Diagnostic Observation Schedule (DB-DOS) (R01 MH068455).

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Child Health Outcomes Measurement Framework
Adapted with permission from the PROMIS measurement framework, developed as part of the NIH-funded Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) (U01AR052177).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Parent Health & Functioning Measurement Framework
Adapted with permission from the PROMIS measurement framework, developed as part of the NIH-funded Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) (U01AR052177).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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