2.3 Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood (Gupta et al., 2021). These experiences can have lasting effects on an individual’s health and well-being by changing brain development and affect how the body responds to stress (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). ACEs encompass a range of adverse events, including violence (such as physical or sexual abuse) and growing up in a family with mental health or substance use problems (Tzouvara et al., 2023).

ACEs are associated with poorer health outcomes later in life, including increased risk of substance use disorder, heart disease, obesity and mental health challenges.

Prevention and Response

Healthcare providers can mitigate the impact of ACEs by understanding risk factors and protective factors and creating supportive environments for children(Narayan et al., 2021) (Weems et al., 2021). These actions are considered trauma-informed approaches and include:

• Identifying those who have experienced ACEs
• Responding with sensitivity and understanding
• Promoting strong, thriving families and communities