
Head Start Federal Program, Evolution's role in PTSD
Season 2025 Episode 156 | 22m 20sVideo has Closed Captions
A federal program for families in poverty, Research on how evolution plays a role in PTSD.
Head Start is a federally funded program that serves children and their families who are at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines, Army Ranger Michael Baumgarten is a current evolutionary anthropology PhD student who is researching how evolution plays a role in PTSD.
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Arizona Horizon is a local public television program presented by Arizona PBS

Head Start Federal Program, Evolution's role in PTSD
Season 2025 Episode 156 | 22m 20sVideo has Closed Captions
Head Start is a federally funded program that serves children and their families who are at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines, Army Ranger Michael Baumgarten is a current evolutionary anthropology PhD student who is researching how evolution plays a role in PTSD.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipCHRISTINA: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," HOW A NEW FEDERAL DIRECTIVE IS AFFECTING HEAD START PROGRAMS.
ALSO TONIGHT, WHY TELEHEALTH MEDICINE CONTINUES TO GROW IN POPULARITY?
AND HOW EVOLUTION PLAYS A ROLE IN PTSD?
THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."
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CHRISTINA: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."
I'M CHRISTINA ESTES FILLING IN FOR TED SIMONS.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCED HE IS PLACING THE WASHINGTON, D.C. POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDER FEDERAL CONTROL AND IS ALSO GOING TO DEPLOY THE NATIONAL GUARD BECAUSE OF RAMPANT CRIME IN THE CITY.
HE SAID HE MAY CONSIDER SENDING TOOPS TO OTHER CITIES.
HOWEVER, D.C. OFFICIALS SAY CRIME IS ACTUALLY DOWN WITH SOME CRIMES AT 30 YEAR LOWS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCED THE TAKEOVER THIS MORNING.
>> I'M ANNOUNCING A HISTORIC ACTION TO RESCUE OUR NATION'S CAPITOL FROM CRIME, BLOODSHED, BEDLAM AND SQUALLER AND WORSE.
THIS IS LIBERATION DAY IN D.C., AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR CAPITOL BACK.
WE'RE TAKING IT BACK.
CHRISTINA: MARYLAND GOVERNOR RES MOORE SAID TRUMP'S PLAN TO TAKE OVER LAW ENFORCEMENT IN D.C. IS DEEPLY DANGEROUS.
MOORE, A DEMOCRAT, SAYS THAT THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN LACKS DATA AND A BATTLE PLAN.
MOORE SAID, QUOTE, HE IS SIMPLY USING HONORABLE MEN AND WOMEN AS PAWNS TO DISTRACT US FROM POLICIES WHICH CONTINUE TO DRIVE UP UNEMPLOYMENT AND TAKE AWAY FOOD ASSISTANCE FROM THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.
>>> WHETHER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BROKE FEDERAL LAW WHEN IT DEPLOYED THE NATIONAL GUARD AND MARINES TO LOS ANGELES IN JUNE TO HELP QUELL IMMIGRATION PROTESTS.
CALIFORNIA SUED AND IS ASKING THE COURT TO STOP THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM USING MILITARY TROOPS TO EXECUTE OR ASSIST IN THE EXECUTION OF FEDERAL LAW OR ANY CIVILIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS.
>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE DENIED A REQUEST FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO UNSEAL GRAND JURY TRANSCRIPTS FROM ITS INVESTIGATION INTO JEFFREY EPSTEIN AND GHISLAINE MAXWELL BOTH FOUND GUILTY OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF MINORS.
THE JUDGE SAID IT WOULD ERODE CONFIDENCE IN PEOPLE CALLED TO TESTIFY IN GRAND JURIES IN THE FUTURE.
THIS RULING AS PRESIDENT TRUMP TRIES TO SUBDUE THEORIES OF HIS TIES TO EPSTEIN.
>>> DURING A TRIP TO SYRIA, ARIZONA CONGRESSMAN ABE HAMADEH TALKED TO THE INTERIM PRESIDENT OF THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY ABOUT RETURNING THE BODY OF 26-YEAR-OLD KAYLA MUELLER OF ARIZONA.
MUELLER WAS CAPTURED IN SYRIA IN 2013.
>>> A NEW FEDERAL DIRECTIVE TARGETS UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BY DENYING THEM ACCESS TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM KNOWN AS HEAD START.
"ARIZONA HORIZON" REPORTER ROXANNE DE LA ROSA HAS MORE.
>> Reporter: THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATUTE TARGETS MOST OF THE VULNERABLE AT THE END OF THE DAY.
IT REALLY DOES.
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHO HEAD START SERVES, IT'S THE MOST VULNERABLE, THOSE MOST YOUNGEST IN OUR COUNTRY.
>> Reporter: THAT'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARIZONA HEAD START ASSOCIATION EVE DEL REAL SHARING THOUGHTS ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S DIRECTIVE TO ONLY ALLOW U.S. CITIZEN CHILDREN TO BE A PART OF THE PROGRAM.
>> AS WE KNOW, S.N.A.P.
BENEFITS HAVE BEEN REDUCED, SO HAVE OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS.
HEAD START FILLS THE GAP IN DIFFERENT WAYS BECAUSE WE HAVE INTEGRATED SERVICES.
>> Reporter: HEAD START OFFERS MORE THAN EARLY EDUCATION.
IT HELPS LOW-INCOME FAMILIES FIND STABLE HOUSING AND VITAL RESOURCES FOCUSING ON KEEPING AND UPLIFTING FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY.
SUSANA PENA IS A HEAD START TEACHER AT EDU CARE.
BEFORE BECOMES A TEACHER, SHE WAS A SINGLE MOTHER AT ONE POINT, BUT AT THE TIME, SHE HAD NO IDEA HEAD START EXISTED.
SHE SAYS TAKING PART IN A HEAD START PROGRAM KNOWING HER CHILDREN WERE IN A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIFE CHANGING FOR HER, AND DUE TO TRUMP'S RECENT IMMIGRATION POLICIES, SHE SEES WORRIED PARENTS SCARED TO EVEN ENTER HER CLASSROOM TO DROP OFF THEIR CHILDREN AT SCHOOL.
SHE DESCRIBED HOW IT AFFECTED THEIR STUDENTS.
>> THEY CAN FEEL THE PARENT'S FEAR, SO IT KIND OF IMPACTED HIM AND PROBABLY THROUGH HIS DAY.
WE THINK KIDS DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE SAYING SOMETIMES, BUT KIDS UNDERSTAND, KIDS HEAR, AND THEY KNOW.
>> Reporter: PARENTS OF CHILDREN ENROLLED IN HEAD START RANGE FROM ESSENTIAL FRONTLINE WORKERS TO FULL-TIME STUDENTS WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY AND TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
TAKING THAT LAYER AWAY FROM A FAMILY DURING THIS TIME COULD BE DETRIMENTAL.
I KNOW WE TALK A LOT ABOUT IT CREATES UNCERTAINTY.
BUT IT CREATES INSTABILITY THAT WE'LL HAVE A GENERATIONAL IMPACT.
>> Reporter: PROGRAM LEADERS FEEL THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT HEAD START IS JUST FREE CHILD CARE AND WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT -- >> HEAD START IS FOR THE CHILDREN, THE FAMILY, FOR THE COMMUNITY.
HEAD START IS MORE THAN HEAD START, IT'S FAMILY.
>> Reporter: ROXANNE DE LA ROSA, REPORTING FOR "ARIZONA HORIZON," IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REPORT FOR AMERICA.
CHRISTINA: MORE THAN 17,000 CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED IN HEAD START ACROSS ARIZONA.
RESEARCHERS SAY CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ARE LESS LIKELY TO BREAK THE LAW AND LIKELY TO LIVE LONGER.
TO DIVE DEEPER INTO THE SUSPECT, WE'RE JOINED BY EVE DEL REAL, PRESIDENT OF THE ARIZONA HEAD START ASSOCIATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S DIRECTIVE, WHAT WOULD THAT DO TO HEAD START?
>> IT WOULD DERAIL A LOT OF THE FOUNDATIONAL WORK THAT WE'VE DONE.
WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S A CONCERN WITH THE LEGAL STATUS OF OUR PARTICIPANTS BUT THE CHALLENGE IS THAT THE GUIDANCE THAT IS CURRENTLY RELEASED IS AMBIGUOUS AND MAKES IT CHALLENGING FOR US TO UNDERSTAND WHO WOULD BE DETERMINED ELIGIBLE AS A PARTICIPANT OF THE PROGRAM.
>> SO ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL KRIS MAYES JOINED OTHER STATES.
SUING IS ON PAUSE, AND PART OF THE LAWSUIT IS THE NEW DIRECTIVE IS DUMPED ON YOU WITHOUT ANY TOOLS IN PLACE TO DO WHATEVER YOU WOULD NEED TO DO, I GUESS, TO CHECK IMMIGRATION STATUS.
WHERE ARE YOU, AND IS THAT AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION?
>> YES, IT IS SUSPENDED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 10, FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, AND WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND WHAT IT WOULD DO IS HOPEFULLY BE ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE WHO DETERMINED ELIGIBLE AND CREATE STREAMLINED APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
IT DOES CREATE A SIGNIFICANT ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN FOR A HEAD START GRANTEE.
CHRISTINA: WHEN YOU SAY ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN, IF YOU WERE FORCED TO COMPLY WITH THIS WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> THE WHOLE PROCESS ITSELF IS CHALLENGING TO UNDERSTAND, STARTING WITH WHO'S DETERMINED ELIGIBLE?
IT'S UNCLEAR IF WE'RE DETERMINING THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE PARENT, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
SO MANY WAYS WE CAN WORK THROUGH ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION DEPENDING WHO'S CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE PROGRAM.
CHRISTINA: IT IS ON PAUSE AS THIS LAWSUIT WORKS ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURTS OR TEMPORARILY ON PAUSE.
HOW ARE YOU OPERATING RIGHT NOW?
>> WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, WE'RE STILL PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES TO ALL INCOMES OF FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND UNDERMINES THE CONFIDENCE IN THE PROGRAM OUT OF THE FEAR THAT SOME FAMILIES WITH MIXED STATUS MIGHT HAVE, AND AGAIN, WE'RE WILLING TO COMPLY AS LONG AS WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED AT THE HEAD START PROGRAM.
>> Reporter: YOU'VE MENTIONED THAT FAMILIES ARE FEARFUL, THAT YOU'VE SEEN ABSENCES INCREASE.
WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM PEOPLE?
>> THE BASIC CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN, FAMILY AND EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS, AND WE UNDERSTAND HISTORICALLY HEAD START SERVED AS A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, WHICH WE CARE TO PRESERVE.
CHRISTINA: BEYOND EDUCATION, THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT HEAD START OFFERS IN TERMS OF SUPPORT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY.
YOU CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
HEAD START IS RECOGNIZED AS A NATIONAL MODEL NOT ONLY OF EDUCATION BUT COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES.
WE PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH, HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AND VITAL CONNECTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT HELP THE FAMILY MOVE THROUGH THE VULNERABLE PERIOD IN THEIR LIFE.
THE CONNECTIONS ARE VITAL TO BREAKING THE GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF POVERTY.
CHRISTINA: HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE?
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
WHO DO YOU HEAR?
DO YOU HAVE DATA?
>> WE HAVE TONS OF DATA, WE HAVE 60 YEARS OF RESEARCH THAT DEMONSTRATE HEAD START DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A FAMILY'S LIFE.
CHRISTINA: SOMEONE MIGHT HEAR THIS AND SAY ABOUT WHAT IS WRONG IS CHECKING IMMIGRATION STATUS?
I DON'T KNOW, DOES HEAD START HAVE A WAITING LIST?
>> OH, YES, WE DO.
NATIONALLY WE SERVED 700,000 CHILDREN AND HERE IN ARIZONA AS YOU STATED EARLIER, 17,000.
SO THERE'S A HUGE NEED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR EARLY EDUCATION AND FOR THIS LEVEL OF CARE, EVEN MORE SO ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS.
CHRISTINA: SO EVE, SOMEONE MIGHT HEAR IF THERE IS A WAIT LIST, WHAT'S WRONG WITH CHECKING IMMIGRATION STATUS.
IF WE HAVE A WAIT LIST OF FAMILIES WHO ARE DOCUMENTED, WHY NOT LET THEM INTO THE PROGRAM BEFORE THOSE WHO ARE NOT?
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT BECAUSE WE START THE PROCESS WITHOUT CHECKING LEGAL STATUS, US MOVING FORWARD AND DOING SO IS SOMETHING WE'RE WILLING TO COMPLY, AS LONG AS WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE.
CHRISTINA: LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT DO YOU HOPE IS THE OUTCOME?
DO YOU NOT WANT THIS AT ALL, OR DO YOU HOPE FOR A MIDDLE GROUND OR WHAT?
>> I HOPE THERE'S A MIDDLE GROUND.
WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT IS WE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL FAMILIES NEED SUPPORT.
WE'LL MOVE FORWARD WITH COMPLYING AS NEEDED, BUT WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES DON'T LOSE THE FAITH IN THE PROGRAM, AND THAT FAMILIES WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE MOVE FORWARD WITH SEEKING OUR SUPPORT.
IT'S JUST CONCERNING THAT MAYBE FAMILIES ARE FEARFUL OF THE SERVICE BECAUSE OF THIS, AND MIGHT DETERMINE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN IT.
CHRISTINA: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THE PARENTS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE MAYBE UNSURE WHETHER THEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE OR EVEN LOOK INTO IT?
>> I WOULD SAY THEY SHOULD STILL CONNECT WITH LOCAL HEAD START PROGRAM.
IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR CHILD TO MOVE FORWARD, TO BUILD THIS CAPACITY THAT WEAN IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH EVIDENCE AND THROUGH RESEARCH, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO EXCEL.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL GIFT THAT YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILD.
WE WANT TO ENSURE FAMILIES KNOW WE ARE THERE TO SERVE.
CHRISTINA: EVE DEL REAL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.
WE APPRECIATE IT, AND I SUSPECT WE MAY HEAR SOME MORE FROM YOU PRETTY SOON.
THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
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CHRISTINA: TELEHEALTH, WHICH BECAME POPULAR DURING THE PANDEMIC, CONTINUES TO GROW.
HONORHEALTH HOSPITAL GROUP SAYS IN 2023 IT HANDLED MORE THAN 95,000 TELEHEALTH VISITS ACROSS ALL SPECIALTIES.
AS SHANA FISCHER AND ROBERT BRUCE FOUND OUT IT IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED.
>> ARE YOU ON YOUR FEET A LOT REGULARLY?
>> YEAH.
>> Reporter: FOR MOST OF US, THIS IS WHAT WE THINK OF WHEN IT COMES TO A DOCTOR'S VISIT.
>> WITH YOUR ANKLES, IF YOU CAN START TO DRAW THE ABCs.
>> Reporter: A GROWING NUMBER OF DOCTORS AND PATIENTS ARE UTILIZING TELEHEALTH.
>> IT IS THE STABILITY TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR FROM THE ABILITY OF YOUR OWN HOME THROUGH AUDIO OR VIDEO WITHOUT HAVING TO BE THERE IN THE CLINIC.
>> Reporter: EVER SINCE THE PANDEMIC, DR. SHAD MUR VASTY HAS BEEN USING TELEHEALTH.
>> CAN BE GREAT FOR PATIENTS WITH DIABETES, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE SEEN IN PERSON ON A REGULAR BASIS AS NEEDED FOR CERTAIN PHYSICAL EXAM COMPONENTS.
TELEHEALTH IS USEFUL IN THE CASES FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHALLENGES WITH TRANSPORTATION OR SINGLE PARENTS OR OTHERS STRUGGLING TO BE ABLE TO BALANCE EVERYTHING IN THEIR LIFE AND GET THEM TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE.
WE'RE SEEING TELEHEALTH IMPLEMENTED IN MENTAL HEALTH NOW, WHERE MENTAL HEALTH IS LACKING IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, AND SO BEING ABLE TO DO TELEHEALTHS HAVE FOR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING WHERE YOU DON'T NEED A PHYSICAL EXAM, YOU NEED TO HAVE THE ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTION, THAT CONVERSATIONS CAN BE REALLY POWERFUL.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS TELEHEALTH HELPS TACKLE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING A SHORTAGE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND INEQUITIES IN AHCCCS ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES WHO DON'T HAVE A DOCTOR NEARBY.
MOST TAKE PLACE WITH A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN WITH, PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CONDITION LIKE COLD OR FLU WILL BE WITH A TELEHEALTH PROVIDER.
>> WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE SURE THEY NEED TO BE SEEN BUT QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE TRIAGED AND NEED TO BE ASSESSED AND THEN KIND OF THE DECISION CAN BE MADE BASED ON THE HISTORY IN THAT CONVERSATION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY NEED TO COME IN FOR A VISIT OR IT CAN BE TREATED THROUGH THAT TELEHEALTH VISIT.
>> IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AS WELL, I HOPE YOU HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR ME.
>> Reporter: A TELEHEALTH VISIT IS SIMILAR TO REGULAR OFFICE VISIT.
THE DOCTOR REVIEWS LABS AND MEDICATION AND DIET AND LIFESTYLE WITH THE PATIENT, THEY CAN PRESCRIBE OR CHANGE MEDICATION.
>> THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IS NOT HAVING THAT PHYSICAL TOUCH IN TERMS OF GETTING YOUR VITALS.
IN SOME SETTINGS OF TELEHEALTH, YOU ASK THE PATIENT IF THEY HAVE A HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR TO CHECK BLOOD PRESSURE AT HOME, THEY HAVE A PULSE OXIMETER, CHECK THEIR WEIGHT AT HOME.
IF WE SEE A REASON TO COME IN, WE CAN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO BE SEEN PHYSICALLY IN THE OFFICE.
BUT IT HELPS TO INCREASE CONNECTIVITY TO CARE.
>> Reporter: IT HELPS WITH WHITE COAT SYNDROME, THE NERVOUS FEELING DOCTORS GET WHEN THEY WALK INTO THE EXAM ROOM.
>> I THINK PEOPLE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, YOU GET TO SEE THEM IN THEIR HOME SETTING AND IN A MORE COMFORTABLE SETTING.
THEY'RE NOT HURRIED TO GET HERE.
I SEE THAT HELPS WITH THE RAPPORT BUILDING AS WELL, WHEREAS YOU MIGHT INTUITIVE I THINK IF YOU'RE NOT IN PERSON, THAT'S A DISCONNECT, BUT IT'S MORE CONVENIENT, MORE ACCESSIBLE SO YOU ARE IN A MORE COMFORTABLE PLACE AND HAVE A MORE MEANINGFUL CONNECTION.
>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR SAYS TELEHEALTH HAS ALSO CHANGED HIM AS A PHYSICIAN.
>> IT'S DEFINITELY PUSHED ME TO THINK ABOUT ALL THE THINGS I ACTUALLY NEED TO DO IN PERSON VERSUS WHAT I ACTUALLY AM DOING WITH THE INTERACTION WITH THE PATIENT, AND HOW IMPACTFUL THIS CAN BE ON PATIENTS.
HOW MUCH I CAN ACTUALLY GET DONE, AND THEY CAN FEEL A SENSE OF CONVENIENCE, AND THEN BE EMPOWERED TO DO THINGS, THAT'S EYE OPENING FOR ME.
GOOD TO SEE YOU, AGAIN, BILL, THANK YOU.
CHRISTINA: OUR NEXT GUEST KNOWS THE REALITIES OF MILITARY SERVICE AND NOW HE'S USING SIGNS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW TRAUMA AFFECTS THE MIND AND BODY.
MICHAEL BAUMGARTEN IS ARMY RANGER AND RESEARCH STUDENT AT ASU STUDYING THROUGH THE INSTITUTE OF HUMAN ORIGINS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANKS A LOT.
CHRISTINA: HOW DID YOUR MILITARY EXPERIENCE LEAD YOU TO STUDY PTSD THROUGH THIS LENS OF ANTHROPOLOGY?
>> YEAH, I SERVED ALMOST 11 YEARS, FEW DEPLOYMENTS OVERSEAS, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT EXPERIENCE, DURING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, INFORMED A LOT OF THINGS I'VE DONE IN MY LIFE, LOSS OF CLOSE FRIENDS.
NOT JUST DURING SERVICE, BUT THEN AFTERWARDS, AND SO SEEING THAT HAPPEN, I KIND OF STARTED DEVELOPING QUESTIONS, AND THEN FOUND A PLACE AT ASU WHERE SOMEONE WAS WORKING ON THAT, AND ANTHROPOLOGY HAS A REALLY GREAT SET OF TOOLS AND PERSPECTIVES TO ADDRESS THIS ACROSS NOT JUST KIND OF SPECIALIZED POPULATIONS LIKE U.S. VETERANS BUT BROADLY ACROSS ALL HUMANS.
>> HOW IS PTSD USUALLY DEFINED FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC SO WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE FOR THE DISCUSSION.
>> PTSD IS DESCRIBED AS A SET OF SYMPTOMS THAT PERSISTS AFTER A TRAUMATIC EVENT THAT LAST APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS OR MORE, AN INDIVIDUAL FAILS TO RETURN TO KIND OF A SUCCESSFUL REGULATORY STATE.
CHRISTINA: RECENT RESEARCH AT ASU LOOKED AT A SPECIFIC SET OF PEOPLE IN KENYA.
TELL ME ABOUT THE GROUP.
>> WE LOOKED AT THE POPULATION THAT LIVE IN NORTHERN KENRA, THEY ARE SEMI NOMADIC PASTUREAL GROUP, THEY ARE INVOLVED IN LIVESTOCKING AND ENGAGED IN CULTURALLY SANCTIONED INTERGROUP CATTLE RAIDING IN WAYS THAT CAN BE LETHAL.
THE POPULATION IS CULTURALLY VERY DIFFERENT THAN US BUT HAS HIGH RATE OF COMBAT MORTALITY AND EXPOSURE.
CHRISTINA: YOU FOUND RESULTS ABOUT HORMONES, TELL US ABOUT THAT.
>> GENERALLY THINKING INDIVIDUALS WITH PTSD AFFECTS YOUR BIOLOGY, HORMONES ARE DISREGULATED, AND WHAT WE'VE FOUND IS THAT REALLY WHAT WE DIDN'T FIND, WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT THESE WARRIORS, WE LOOKED AT CORTISOL AND TESTOSTERONE AND THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE, NO CHANGE IN INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD HAVE QUALIFIED FOR A PRELIMINARY PTSD DIAGNOSIS FROM THOSE WHO DIDN'T.
CHRISTINA: WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU FIND?
WHAT WERE THE ASSUMPTIONS?
>> THE ASSUMPTION IS TO FIND SOME DISREGULATION, ALTERATION, THE SAMPLE SHOWS IT WASN'T THERE AND REQUIRES MORE INVESTIGATION FOR SURE.
>> THE CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT, DO YOU THINK THAT'S THE REASON WHY, AND HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO THE HORMONE DIFFERENCES?
>> YEAH, RIGHT NOW WE CAN ONLY SPECULATE AND SAY THAT MAY BE ONE WAY TO LOOK AT IT.
THEY HAVE DIFFERENT OUTLOOK ON KIND OF INTERGROUP VIOLENCE, THE ROLE OF THE WARRIORS IN SOCIETY IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN OURS, AND SO THERE MAY BE SOCIAL COPING MECHANISMS, RITUALS, ET CETERA, TIGHTER GROUP BONDING.
ALL MAY PLAY A ROLE IN HOW INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT DEAL WITH TRAUMA.
CHRISTINA: HOW MIGHT THE GROUP EXPERIENCE OR WHAT YOU WITNESSED, HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO U.S. VETERANS?
>> YEAH, SO THESE TWO POPULATIONS ARE INTERESTING TO COMPARE.
IN THE U.S., WE HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT SET OF CULTURAL NORMS, DIVERSE COMPLEX SET OF MORALS TO NAVIGATE, AND THIS APPLIES TO SOLDIERS, ANYONE IN THE MILITARY.
TRACANA, ALL THE VIOLENCE IS LOCALIZED AND IN THE U.S., OUR WARS ARE FOUGHT SOMEWHERE ELSE, AND WE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT PROCESSES OF HOW WE CONNECT WITH WARRIORS, SOLDIERS, WHATEVER WORD YOU WANT TO USE FOR THAT, WHETHER THERE SEEMS TO BE A LARGER GAP IN THE U.S.
THERE'S TRACONO.
CHRISTINA: THERE SEEMS TO BE A WALL OR A DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM AND THE U.S.?
>> THE EXPERIENCE OR MY EXPERIENCE IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ, WHILE THE VETERANS, PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE UNDERSTAND THAT, IT'S VERY DIFFERENT TO EXPLAIN THAT TO THOSE WHO DIDN'T SERVE, YOUNGER FOLKS, AND SO AGAIN, THE TRACANO, THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.
CHRISTINA: MICHAEL BAUMGARTEN, WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT.
WHERE CAN SOMEBODY FIND MORE ABOUT THE RESEARCH?
>> GO TO THE ASU WEBSITE FOR THE INSTITUTE OF HUMAN ORIGINS, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO FIND IT THAT WAY, OR GOOGLE MY NAME, I SUPPOSE.
CHRISTINA: THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESEARCH AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU.
CHRISTINA: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, I'M CHRISTINA ESTES IN FOR TED SIMONS.
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