No 1 public health problem is our childhood

Many misperceive children largely as obedient property, writes Frank Sterle Jr.

- Frank Sterle Jr.

If survived, early-life abuse or chronic neglect typically causes the brain to develop improperly.

It can be the starting point of a life in which the brain uncontrollably releases potentially damaging levels of inflammatory stress hormones and chemicals, even in non-stressful daily routines.

It amounts to non-physical impact brain damage in the form of post-traumatic stress syndrome.