Adverse Childhood Experiences: Role in Health

Image shows a six-level pyramid to represent mechanisms by which adverse childhood experiences influence health and well-being throughout the lifespan. An arrow pointing upward is at the left of the pyramid. At bottom of the arrow is the word “conception;” at top is “death.” From the bottom up, the base of pyramid base of pyramid reads “Adverse Childhood Experiences.” Next level up reads “Disrupted Neurodevelopment.” Third level at middle of pyramid reads “Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Impairment.” Level four of the pyramid is Adoption of Health-risk Behaviors. Level five is Disease, Disability, and Social Problems. Level six at the top of the pyramid reads “Early Death.” — Source: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/about.html

What happens if we can eliminate a child’s experience of (1) crime in the home, (2) neglect, and (3) abuse (physical, mental, and sexual)? We see reductions in a host of health problems these early stressors cause with rates of return on our investment of up to 150%. Among the problems that can be reduced are:

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Depression
Fetal death
Health-related quality of life
Illicit drug use
Ischemic heart disease
Liver disease
Poor work performance
Financial stress
Risk for intimate partner violence
Multiple sexual partners
Sexually transmitted diseases
Smoking
Suicide attempts
Unintended pregnancies
Early initiation of smoking
Early initiation of sexual activity
Adolescent pregnancy
Risk for sexual violence
Poor academic achievement

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