Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Adulthood

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Adulthood 1280 853 Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota

What do cancer, diabetes and heart disease have to do with child abuse? 

The CDC says children with a high number of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at significant risk for health problems as adults. These experiences include:

  • Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect.
  • Witnessing violence in the home or community.
  • Having a family member attempt or die by suicide.

Additionally, environmental conditions play a role, such as:

  • A family member with substance use problems.
  • A family member with mental health problems.
  • Parental separation or divorce.
  • Incarceration of family members.

Nearly 20 percent of adults surveyed said they’ve experienced at least 4 out of 10 types of ACEs. Having an ACE score of 4 nearly doubles the risk of heart disease and cancer and significantly increases the risk for substance abuse, depression and other problems as well.

You can find out your own ACE score (it takes about 3 minutes):
https://stopabusecampaign.org/take-your-ace-test/

Purely from a cost-benefit standpoint, our state should be interested in keeping ACE scores as low as possible. Yet we know millions of dollars were left sitting on the table in the form of TANF funds in 2021. Zero dollars of those TANF funds were spent on child welfare, unlike other states.

In Minnesota, there are thousands of children with high ACE scores. We’ll continue to advocate for investments on their behalf. 

Our work for vulnerable children is possible
through support from readers & listeners like you. Thank you.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
downloader youtube online

Thank you for sharing this insightful article! I found the information really useful and thought-provoking. Your writing style is engaging, and it made the topic much easier to understand. Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

Back to top
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Discover more from Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading