Adverse Childhood Experiences Study

This is the study I mentioned in my last post.  It is such a strong testament to the necessity of infant mental health work in the field.  If nothing else, there exists an economic argument in terms of savings through preventative care.  If early childhood traumas are not addressed, the outcome usually involves multiple, chronic diseases and conditions.

Check out this PDF for a brief, easy to read summary of the work that this study has done and some economic costs of ignoring this issue.

From the ACE website:

What is the ACE Study?
The ACE Study is an ongoing collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention and Kaiser Permanente.  Led by Co-principal Investigators Robert F. Anda, MD, 
MS, and Vincent J. Felitti, MD, the ACE Study is perhaps the largest scientific research study 
of its kind, analyzing the relationship between multiple categories of childhood trauma 
(ACEs), and health and behavioral outcomes later in life.


What's an ACE?
Growing up experiencing any of the following conditions in the household prior to age 18:

1. Recurrent physical abuse
   
2. Recurrent emotional abuse
   
3. Contact sexual abuse
   
4. An alcohol and/or drug abuser in the household
   
5. An incarcerated household member
   
6. Someone who is chronically depressed, mentally ill, institutionalized, or suicidal
   
7. Mother is treated violently
   
8. One or no parents
   
9. Emotional or physical neglect