In 1995, the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) conducted a 10-question screening tool focusing on the impact of childhood trauma and the affect on adult health. This 10-question screening tool is known as the ACE Score.
ACE stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. Adverse Childhood Experiences include those that cause ongoing stress to a child such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, neglect/abandonment, domestic violence, divorce, incarceration, addictions, and death of a care giver. There have been subsequent studies throughout the years that have expanded research to include ACE scores to look at the impact of bullying, inner city youth. global pandemics, racial trauma and intergenerational trauma (Psych Central and The Philadelphia ACE Project).
The ACE study found a direct link between childhood trauma and adult onset of physical and mental health problems. As your Adverse Childhood Experience score increases, the risk of health problems increases. These health problems include but are not limited to, chronic disease, chronic depression, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and coronary heart disease. Higher ACE scores also identified developing various side affects such as incarceration, addictions, relationship and employment challenges as well as higher rates of human trafficking.
ACE scores range on a scale from 0 to 10, with a higher score indicating more negative childhood experiences. If you have an ACE score of 4 or more, you are not alone. In fact, 1 in 6 people report an ACE score of 4 or more. At least 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death are associated with high ACE scores (cdc.gov). It’s important to highlight that even people who score very high on the ACE can and do lead healthy and fulfilling lives. However, people who have a high ACE score may have a higher predisposition to certain health and life outcomes.
The ACE score doesn’t predict your future, it’s just a guidance. It doesn’t directly take into account one’s lifestyle, genetic factors or the positive experiences in early life that can help build resilience and protect a child from the affects of trauma.
Prevention of ACE’s can help children and adults thrive in life. If you suffer from mental health concerns, addictions or past or current traumas that are impacting your life, please reach out to your local mental healthcare provider for further support. If you live in Michigan and are interested in learning more about me, you can find me @ www.wholeisticyou.com
Take Quiz Here:
https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/ace-test#fa-qs
https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aces/index.html
Resources:
TED Talk:
National Alliance on Mental Illness:
Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640 or email us at helpline@nami.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Substance Abuse Hotline:
844-289-0879