By Ashley Mackin-Solomon, La Jolla Light, September 28, 2020
A La Jolla pediatric office is one of a select few to pilot a new screening and treatment program for adverse childhood experiences, known as ACEs, as a way to lessen the possible long-term negative health effects associated with them.
Through an initiative known as ACEs Aware, a first-of-its-kind effort led by the California surgeon general’s office and the Department of Health Care Services to cut ACEs and related stress in half in one generation, the screening evaluates children and adults for ACEs involving abuse, neglect and household dysfunction by age 18. When providers screen for ACEs, they can determine the likelihood that a patient is at an increased health risk. Once identified, providers can treat and improve care, possibly reducing long-term health costs.
Starting in October, the La Jolla office of Children’s Primary Care Medical Group at 7300 Girard Ave. will use the Pediatric ACEs and Related Life-events Screener (PEARLS), which looks at potentially traumatic events occurring before 18, as part of the well-child checkup.
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