The Epidemiology of Adverse Childhood Experiences
by
Mitch Hall

Researchers analyzed data from over 17,000 adult patients and discovered robust epidemiological connections between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) up to the age of 18 and later health and behavioral outcomes <http://www.acestudy.org/>. The studies were done in two waves and looked at the following nine categories of ACEs :

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

Exposure to each ACE category is counted as an ACE point. Compared to having an ACE score of zero, having four or more ACEs leads to the following increased risks:

ischemic heart disease                      220%

diabetes                                            160%

chronic bronchitis or emphysema    390%

past-year depression                         460%

ever attempting suicide                  1,220%

currently smoking                             220%

ever using illegal drugs                      470%

becoming an alcoholic                      740%

injecting illegal drugs                     1,030%

An ACE score of 6 or more may reduce life expectancy by two decades.

The preceding statistical overview of some of the ACE findings is derived from Born for Love: Why Empathy Is Essential--and Engandered (pp.164-165) by Maia Szalavitz and Bruce D. Perry (NY: William Morrow, 2010).

For guidelines on providing for children’s well-being and secure attachment that will be of life-long benefit, the Alliance for Transforming the Lives of Children <www.aTLC.org> is a trustworthy source. Also, see the following on this site:
Nonviolence & Children: An Annotated Bibliography