ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

BRIEF SUMMARY

The CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect and later-life health and well-being.  The original ACE Study was conducted at Kaiser Permanente from 1995 to 1997 with two waves of data collection. Over 17,000 Health Maintenance Organization members from Southern California receiving physical exams completed confidential surveys regarding their childhood experiences and current health status and behaviors.

Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. As such, early experiences are an important public health issue.

KEY POINTS

• Adverse Childhood Experiences have been linked to:
  • risky health behaviors,
  • chronic health conditions,
  • low life potential, and
  • early death.

SHARED WISDOM

• An ACE score is a tally of different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough childhood. According to the Adverse Childhood Experiences study, the rougher your childhood, the higher your score is likely to be and the higher your risk for later health problems.
• The ACE score isn’t a crystal ball; it’s just meant as guidance. It tells you about one type of risk factor among many. It doesn’t directly take into account your diet or genes, or whether you smoke or drink excessively — to name just a few of the other major influences on health.
• ACE scores don’t tally the positive experiences in early life that can help build resilience and protect a child from the effects of trauma. Having a grandparent who loves you, a teacher who understands and believes in you, or a trusted friend you can confide in may mitigate the long-term effects of early trauma

RESOURCES

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Violence Prevention
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• ACEs Too High 
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• Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Lifelong Consequences of Trauma, American Academy of Pediatrics
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• Graphics for presentations on ACEs
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• Take the ACEs Quiz
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