Trauma-Informed Care: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Health

Course overview

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have lasting negative effects on adult health, in the form of risk-taking behaviors, and chronic disease. More than half of the U.S. population has experienced at least one adverse childhood event and 14.3% have experienced four or more. Prolonged exposure to toxic stress can triple the risk for ischemic heart disease and even shorten life expectancy by 20 years, but most healthcare professionals do not know how to screen for these risk factors. Healthcare professionals have a unique opportunity to address these risk factors with screening, acknowledgement, and referrals for treatment. This continuing education program reviews the research and science of how childhood trauma affects adult health and wellness, explains how to screen for risk factors, and describes how to promote healing and resilience with trauma-informed care.