The objective of this study was to estimate associations between all five types of child maltreatment (emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and exposure to domestic violence) and health risk behaviours and conditions.

The known: Child maltreatment is associated with substantially increased rates of health risk behaviours and conditions. Prevention and intervention efforts should be informed by trauma histories, and holistic psychosocial care should be incorporated into programs focusing on behaviour change.

The new: The Australian Child Maltreatment Study has shown that the majority of Australians have experienced child maltreatment, and that these experiences are associated with substantially higher rates of health risk behaviours and conditions, including substance misuse, self-harm and suicide attempts. Sexual abuse and emotional abuse present the highest risks.

The implications: trauma-informed health promotion strategies and interventions aimed at preventing health risk behaviours and conditions may require holistic psychosocial interventions.