Every family in Vermont wants its children to grow up healthy, happy and protected from anything that might lead to illness and chronic disease. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are preventable and children can prosper with the right support. As we learn more about ACEs we understand that dealing a winning hand for kids doesn’t have to be a game of chance.
We have long known that Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs, have negative mental health effects on children. We now begin to understand the profound effects that ACEs have on physical health, development of chronic disease (cancer, heart disease, obesity, asthma, liver disease, depression or others), brain development, reduced life expectancy, behavioral problems, poor performance in school, or the increased likelihood of incarceration and job failure.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes ten types of abuse, neglect, and household challenges that can lead to negative outcomes. ACEs include: physical, emotional and sexual abuse; physical and emotional neglect; domestic violence; a family member with mental illness, a family member incarcerated, a family member with addiction, or an absent parent. Although poverty increases a child’s risks, negative experiences affect children in every socioeconomic group. ACEs do not account for all risks leading to physical, social or other conditions. Nevertheless, the more ACEs a child experiences, the more significant the toll on his health.
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