The term ACEs came from a medical study in 1999 that measured certain childhood experiences in over 17,000 people.
The ACEs study was a breakthrough for understanding the connection between childhood stress, trauma and health. This study asked medical patients if, when they were children, they experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect. The patients were also asked if they experienced other specific issues as children, including:
- A mother who was treated violently.
- Substance abuse in the household.
- A home member with mental illness.
- Parental separation or divorce.
- A home member who was incarcerated.
These experiences were linked to increased risk of:
- Risky health behaviors.
- Chronic health conditions.
- Low life potential.
- Early death.
