Childhood Maltreatment and Adult Multimorbidity
By
Rosa S. Wong
Keith T. S. Tung
Jason C. Yam
Sherry K. W. Chan
Fei Li
Ian C. K. Wong
Jill P. Pell
Helen Minnis
Frances S. Mair
Frederick K. Ho
Patrick Ip
July 14, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: The Impact of Childhood Abuse on Adult Health Conditions
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Child Maltreatment Key Mechanisms Disruption of emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, and physical health leading to chronic diseases. Target Population Individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment. Care Setting Population-based electronic health records analysis.
Key Highlights
Prevalence of physical and psychological child abuse during COVID-19 was 18% and 39%, respectively. Child maltreatment is associated with a 4-fold risk of neurodivergent and psychiatric disorders. Emerging evidence links childhood maltreatment to chronic physical health conditions. Child maltreatment may increase the risk of adult multimorbidity. Study utilized longitudinal data from electronic health records in Hong Kong. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize electronic health records for identifying cases of child maltreatment. Management
Implement prevention and intervention plans targeting affected individuals. Monitoring & Follow-up
Follow-up on health outcomes in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment. Risks
Increased risk of developing chronic diseases and multimorbidity in adulthood. Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults with a history of childhood maltreatment.
Consider the long-term health implications of childhood maltreatment in treatment plans.
Clinical Best Practices
Assess for history of childhood maltreatment in patients presenting with chronic health issues. Incorporate mental health evaluations for individuals with a history of maltreatment. Related Resources & Content
