For the first time, the Healthy People 2030 guidelines have added four objectives on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), a step to recognize the systemic impact of childhood trauma on health.

ACEs, such as abuse and poverty, are a public health crisis.

None of the past Healthy People editions ─ 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020 ─ had an objective to address ACEs as part of its national guidance to promote health and prevent disease.

Now there are four objectives!

This is a huge win for the 2,214 Salud America! network members who emailed public comments and other child development and public health professionals who submitted nearly 3,000 additional comments to add ACEs-related objectives.

This is the first time that social determinants of health is listed as a key area, with 78 core objectives.

“Healthy People 2030 plans to continue … to address key social determinants of health, like economic stability, educational access and quality, access to care and quality of care, neighborhood, and the social and community context outlined in Healthy People 2020,” according to Sara Heath of Patient Engagement. “In addition to that, Healthy People 2030 zeroes in on health disparities and the health inequities that cause them.”

To read more of Amanda Merck's article, please click here.