Adverse Childhood Experiences

"Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress represent a public health crisis. A consensus of scientific research demonstrates that cumulative adversity, especially when experienced during critical and sensitive periods of development, is a root cause of some of the most harmful, persistent, and expensive health challenges facing our state and the nation. 

Research shows that individuals who have experienced ACEs are at significantly increased risk of serious health consequences, including 9 of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States. People with four or more ACEs are:

38 times as likely to attempt suicide

11 times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or dementia

3 times as likely to have chronic lower respiratory disease

2 to 2 ½ times as likely to have a stroke, cancer, or heart disease

1 ½ times as likely to have diabetes."