Whiteside County Healthier Communities Partnership
What Are (ACEs) Adverse Childhood Experiences?
ACEs include:
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Physical Abuse
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Physical Neglect
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Emotional Abuse
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Emotional Neglect
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Sexual Abuse
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A household member addicted to illegal drugs and/or alcohol
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A household member who suffered from mental health issues
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Witnessing domestic violence
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Loss of a parent due to death, divorce, or abandonment
ACEs have been linked to:
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Chronic Health Conditions
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Low Life Potential
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Early Death
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Risky Health Behaviors
Statistics About Those Who Experience ACEs
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15 times more likely to attempt suicide
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4 times more likely to become alcoholic
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4 times more likely to develop an STD
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4 times more likely to inject drugs
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3 times more likely to experience depression
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3 times more likely to be absent from work
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3 times more likely to have serious job problems
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2.5 times more likely to smoke
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2 times more likely to have COPD
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2 times more likely to have serious financial problems
of adults report abuse or other difficult family circumstances during childhood.
60%
of children will witness or experience a traumatic
event before age 4.
26%
4 of 10
children report a physical assault in the past year, with 1 in 10 receiving a related injury.
2%
of all children have experienced sexual abuse during the past year.
The rate is nearly 11% per year for girls aged 14-17.
Prevention
How prevention benefits the community
ACEs Prevention could lead to:
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15% reduction in the number of adults who are unemployed
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33% reduction in the number of adults who smoke
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44% reduction in the number of adults with depression
Why it matters
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Effects on the workforce now and in the future.
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Parents miss days on the job to care for their children or family members.
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We all share the cost of treating mental health, drug abuse, homelessness, and crime
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Healthier children make healthier communities with a better future for all.
Everyone.
Who can make a difference?