Adverse Childhood Experiences

Recently, a growing body of literature regarding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their connection to health and well-being has gained greater attention among public health professionals.  A landmark study, conducted in the 1990s demonstrated that ACEs (defined as various forms of abuse, neglect and family dysfunction) were more common than previously believed, and it documented a strong relationship between those experiences and health risk behaviors and health outcomes of concern for medical and behavioral health providers.

• Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences in Primary Care (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2014)
  A practical guide for assessing a patient-centered medical home's readiness to address ACEs and other childhood trauma among patients and suggestions for moving toward integrating such screening into care.
• The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the Health of the Michigan Adult Population (Michigan BRFSS Surveillance Brief, June 2015)
  This surveillance brief, based on 2013 data, provides basic prevalence data regarding ACEs among Michigan adults and basic correlative data regarding the relationship between ACEs and certain health behaviors. 
• Adverse Childhood Experiences -- Looking at How ACEs Affect Our Lives & Society (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Division of Violence Prevention) This infographic summarizes the major findings of the landmark ACE Study in an easy-to-read format.