What Are ACEs?
Adverse Childhood Experiences, often referred to as ACEs, are traumatic or stressful events that occur between the ages of 0 and 17 years. ACEs include:
- Abuse: Physical, sexual, emotional abuse
- Neglect: Physical, emotional neglect
- Household Disfunction: Unmanaged mental illness, incarcerated relative, domestic violence, substance abuse, divorce
“Children’s exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences is the greatest unaddressed public health threat of our time.”
- Robert W. Block, MD, FAAP, immediate past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics
ACE Study
The ACEs language and concept came out of a research study which connected certain Adverse Childhood Experiences to a variety of health implications. This study is one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect and looked at 17,000 people to observe emotional and social health and the connection to health outcomes.
Why do ACEs matter?
An increased number of ACEs puts an individual at greater risk for negative health and social outcomes including, but not limited to:
- Behavioral problems
- Poor mental health
- Increased rates of substance abuse
- Increased risky behavior
- Development of serious health concerns (heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, etc.)
