This four-part series from journalist Arielle Levin Becker takes an in-depth look at the effects of severe childhood adversity on mental and physical health. Together, the articles detail how toxic stress [1] impacts the body, the protective effects of a secure relationship with a caregiver, and ways to identify and prevent problems that threaten child well-being. The piece features the Center’s findings on toxic stress [2], as well as interviews with Frontiers of Innovation [3] network member Kia Levey [4] and National Scientific Council on the Developing Child [5] member Megan Gunnar.