Health policymakers and practitioners increasingly recognize trauma as an important factor impacting health throughout the lifespan. By offering trauma-informed approaches and treatments in health care settings, provider organizations can more effectively treat patients — potentially improving health outcomes, reducing avoidable care utilization, and curbing excess costs.

This fact sheet describes key ingredients necessary for establishing a trauma-informed approach at the organizational and clinical levels. To bring each key ingredient to life, this fact sheet outlines a tangible example from one of the six pilot sites participating in Advancing Trauma-Informed Care, a national initiative made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. See also the below companion slide presentation.