Journal of Pain Research

Advancing Inclusion in Pediatric Pain Research, Training, and Practice

Much of our current understanding of pediatric pain mechanisms and interventions is informed by an evidence base that does not adequately reflect the broader population of youth living with acute and chronic pain. Individuals who are marginalized due to sociocultural characteristics including (but not limited to) racialized identity, ethnicity, indigeneity, age, sex, gender identity, disability status, educational attainment, socioeconomic position, immigration and refugee status, and geographic location are underrepresented in pain research. These same groups are also at highest risk for experiencing profound inequities in pain care and outcomes.

Numerous calls to action have been made to improve inclusion in the design, conduct, reporting, and dissemination of pain research. Alongside efforts to meaningfully engage communities in research and recruit and retain diverse study participants, these calls highlight the importance of diversifying the research environment itself to accelerate translation of findings to real-world efforts to alleviate pain for all youth. Additionally, culturally aware mentoring resources and training for providers in culturally attuned, evidence-based pain care are imperative to foster the talents of trainees from diverse backgrounds and adequately prepare the next generation of pain scientists and clinicians. Ultimately, inclusive pediatric pain research, training, and practice seeks to ensure that innovations in pain science and care meet the needs of all youth with pain and their families.

This Article Collection seeks to advance this cause by highlighting inclusive approaches to pediatric pain research, training, and practice. Articles that focus on underrepresented groups (e.g., infants, young adults, indigenous populations, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2A+), biopsychosocial risk and resilience factors associated with chronic primary or secondary pain in young people, use of innovative methodologies or technologies to improve the quality and equity of pediatric pain care, projects that exemplify community engagement in knowledge production and/or mobilization, and approaches to enhancing diversity and inclusion within pediatric pain research and clinical workforce are especially welcome.

Submission Instructions:

Please submit your manuscript through the Dovepress website. During submission, enter the promo code KQQFZ for a 10% discount on the Article Processing Charge and to indicate that your submission is for consideration in this Article Collection.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo full peer-review; Guest Advisors will not be handling submitted articles. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submission. Standard Article Publishing Charges apply.

The manuscript submission deadline is 15 January 2026.

If you have any questions about this Article Collection, please contact Krista Thom at Krista.Thom@taylorandfrancis.com.

Guest Advisors:

Aimee Hildenbrand, Ph.D., is a Research Scientist in the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science at Nemours Children’s Health, licensed clinical psychologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital Delaware, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Hildenbrand’s research program aims to improve care delivery and outcomes for youth with sickle cell disease as well as those with other health conditions involving acute or chronic pain, with an emphasis on digital health interventions, shared decision-making, adolescent and young adult disease self-management, and interdisciplinary approaches to pediatric pain care. She also provides psychological consultation and therapy services for youth experiencing acute and chronic pain and their families.

Shreela Palit, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Research Scientist in the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science at Nemours Children's Health and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Palit obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Tulsa, completed her clinical residency in Behavioral Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Florida. Dr. Palit's research interests include investigation of biopsychosocial determinants of pain across the lifespan. Her lab is currently examining factors that contribute to resilience in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic pain as they navigate the transition to adulthood. Dr. Palit plans to extend her work to the development of novel psychological intervention or prevention strategies to improve pain management and quality of life in AYAs.

Disclosure Statement: Neither Prof. Hildenbrand nor Dr. Palit disclose any conflicts of interest.