What are ACEs?

          Trauma can change the course of a person’s mental and physical health and wellbeing. While we know Adverse Childhood Experiences affect mental and emotional health, studies show that stress and trauma can also manifest in physical ways – anything from chronic diseases to a shorter lifespan. The largest study to date that made this connection is the original ACE study conducted from 1995-1997 at Kaiser Permanente, a large health care company. The study found that childhood abuse, neglect, and household challenges can significantly impact later-life health and wellness.

          This impact makes trauma a public health issue, and we are here to promote awareness and help connect people to resources to heal after these types of experiences, and to try and prevent it whenever possible. Preventing traumatic experiences in childhood and initiating key interventions when they do occur can lessen long-term health consequences and benefit the physical and emotional well-being of individuals into adulthood.