ACE’s and Prevention
ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences):
ACEs, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, have become a focal point in medial and social research for many years now, due to the lasting impact of ACEs on child development and adult life. Ultimately, research explores the link between ACEs and the development of physical and mental health conditions in adulthood. ACEs are made up of adverse environmental and social events, as well as long term stressors in a child’s life. These events can range from parental separation, drug exposure, and violence, to chronic illness, physical injury, or abuse.
ACEs have been linked to high levels of stress, and the stress hormone cortisol. Prolonged exposure to cortisol can compromise early brain development, leading to a weakened immune system and the potential development of long term health conditions. Conditions associated with early stress exposure include cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
Ultimately, prevention work is one of the many effective solutions to reducing ACEs for children, providing parents families, and caregivers with resources and information to protect their children. This includes parenting classes, community events, community strengthening, and raising awareness for community needs. Please explore our event calendar to see the events near you we host, as well as the classes we offer.
To read more about ACEs, please visit the link below: