How Common Are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?
64% of the U.S. population has at least one ACE.
cdc.gov
98% of the prison population has at least one ACE.
Compassion Prison Project
Comparison of ACE Categories
ACE Prevalence in Men
General Population vs. Incarcerated Population
ACE Prevalence in Women
General Population vs. Incarcerated Population
Messina and Burdon 2020, BRFSS data 2011-2014 and ncbi.nim.nih.gov
Children, Adolescents and ACEs
60% have been exposed to crime, violence and abuse either directly or indirectly.
50% of youth have been assaulted at least once.
39% of youth ages 12 to 17 reported witnessing violence.
34% of youth reported being emotionally bullied and 13% physically bullied.
30% witnessed a stabbing and 26% witnessed a shooting in an inner city community.
26% of children age 4 and under experienced a traumatic event.
25% of youth were victims of robbery, vandalism or theft.
20% witnessed violence in their family or neighborhood.
16% of youth aged 14 to 17 were sexually assaulted or sexually abused
14% repeatedly experienced maltreatment by a caregiver.
10% reported five or more exposures to violence.
recognizetrauma.org
WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED
1 or 2 ACEs
more likely to
have serious financial problems
more likely to
smoke
more likely to
develop pulminary disease
more likely to
have serious job problems
more likely to
use antidepressants
more likely to
develop STDs
3 or more ACEs
more likely to
experience risk of autoimmune diseases: Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rhuematoid Arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes
WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED
4 or more ACEs
more likely to
be diagnosed with cancer or lung cancer
more likely to
have anxiety
more likely to
have chronic depression
more likely to
develop Alzheimer’s
more likely to
engage in illicit drug use
more likely to
have problematic alcohol use
more likely to
go to prison
more likely to
experience violence victimization in adulthood
more likely to
attempt suicide
more likely to
face opiate abuse
WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED
5 or more ACEs
more likely to
have delays in their language, emotional or brain development
more likely to
have problematic alcohol use
more likely to
develop COPD (Chronic Obstructive pulmonary Disease)
WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED
6 or more ACEs
more likely to
have a shortened lifespan by 20 years
more likely to
face opiate addiction
WITHOUT INTERVENTION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED
7 or more ACEs
more likely to
report hallucinations
Hughes, Bellis, Hardcastle, Sethi, et al 2017, Anda 2008, Whitfield 2005 and recognizing trauma.org
