Reagan Miller-Chagnon, PhD
Assistant Professor
Colorado State University
Featured in the Session: The ADA and Centers for Diabetes Translation Research Symposium: Driving Innovation in Diabetes Translation
When
Monday, June 8
at 8:00 a.m.
Where
220 (Level 2)
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
What is your presentation about?
This presentation examines the relationships among dimensions of adverse childhood experiences, mental health, and obesity among American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) adolescents. Using a dimensional framework, I explore how different types of adversity may differentially relate to psychological and physical health outcomes. The findings highlight both risk pathways and variability in outcomes across youth. Implications for culturally responsive prevention and intervention efforts are discussed.
How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
I hope this presentation increases awareness of how adverse childhood experiences shape both mental health and obesity risk—key contributors to type 2 diabetes. It also aims to highlight resilience in mental and physical health despite high levels of adversity among AI/AN adolescents. Ultimately, this work underscores the importance of integrating psychosocial context into diabetes prevention and care.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
I became involved in diabetes research while working as a research coordinator in the emergency department at Children’s Hospital Colorado. There, I coordinated a PECARN study examining fluid resuscitation rates for patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This experience sparked my interest in understanding the psychosocial processes that contribute to risk for type 2 diabetes.