Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Health

Early Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and Health

"About 61% of adults... reported they had experienced at least one type of ACE before age 18, and nearly 1 in 6 reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs"

Examples of ACES

Potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17) include:

• experiencing violence, abuse or neglect
• witnessing violence in the home or community
• having a family member attempt or die by suicide
• growing up in a household with substance use problems, mental health problems, or instability due to parental separation or incarceration

Risk factors of aces

• Caregiving challenges related to children with special needs
• Children and youth who don’t feel close to their parents/caregivers
• Youth who start dating early or engaging in sexual activity early
• Youth with no friends or friends with aggressive or delinquent behavior
• Caregivers who do not understand children’s needs or development
• Families with caregivers who were abused or neglected as children
• Young or single caregivers, low income, and/or low levels of education

• Caregivers who use forms of corporal punishment for discipline
• Inconsistent discipline and/or low levels of monitoring and supervision
• Families that are isolated from and not connected to other people
• Families with high conflict and negative communication styles
• Families with attitudes accepting of or justifying violence or aggression

health impact of aces

Socioeconomic Challenges

Health Conditions

Health Risk Behaviors

Sources