A pioneering study carried out in 1998 demonstrated that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can contribute to mental and physical problems not just in childhood, but well into adulthood. Subsequent studies have reinforced those findings. It's estimated 60 percent of American adults have been affected by ACEs, and those effects can include obesity, heart disease, alcoholism and drug use.
Not every adverse childhood experience leads to those problems. University of Tennessee College of Nursing's Dr. Carole Myers says the outcome is largely dependent on prevention and treatment of ACEs. In this edition of HealthConnections, Dr. Myers explains ACEs, how they affect children and adults, and what communities can do do prevent them and handle the aftermath.