Pam Dudding-Burch
Contributing writer
Adverse Childhood Experiences, better known as ACEs, have only recently become an area of great interest in the world of medicine and healthcare. A research study published in 1998 started the idea of ACEs.
“Little did we know how important this study would be as ACEs are now thought of as one of the top causes of health issues in our Country,” J.D. Carlin, a Craig County Prevention Planning Team (CPPT) Secretary, said. Carlin is also a Prevention and Wellness Specialist with Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare.
What qualifies as an ACE are ten specific events that are broken into three main concepts. These include:
- Household Dysfunction (substance abuse, divorce, mental illness, domestic violence and criminal behavior)
- Neglect (emotional and physical)
- Abuse (emotional, physical and sexual)
Statistics show that, sadly, these are very common. “In fact, ACEs have proven to be found across all racial, ethnic, economic and cultural lines,” CPPT employees said. “In other words, no one is exempt from ACEs, and 67 percent of most people have at least one ACE.” It has also been noted that an estimated one out of every eight people has four or more ACEs.
“You see ACEs matter because they have a profound impact on both our physical and mental health both at the time they occur, and also far into the future,” Carlin said. “The impact of ACEs are not limited to the moment they happen.”
For example; it is possible for a person’s high blood pressure to be related to ACEs that occurred when they were a child.
ACEs have impacts on the brain and other health issues. “Our brains develop differently based on the stress we experience in our lives,” Carlin said. “So, a child who has more stress in their life, like adverse childhood experiences, may have an increase in stress hormones which affect the body’s ability to fight infection.”
Other childhood issues can include lower tolerances for stress which can lead to difficulties getting along with others. Children also can develop learning and memory problems which can become permanent with continued exposure to stress, and as a child gets older, additional health risks can include: depression, heart disease, liver disease, substance abuse and suicide attempts.
“This is why this is important not only to Craig County but everyone because everyone in the world is impacted in some way,” the CPPT said.
Carlin added, “It does not matter if you have an ACE, you certainly know and love people who have experienced ACEs.” Studies show that people’s health challenges (both physical and mental) and how they cope or manage tough times could be significantly impacted by what occurred during their childhood.
As a result, the Craig Prevention Planning Team is doing everything they can to bring this topic to light and let people in Craig County know about ACEs.
“In addition to this article, we are also working with area service providers to develop more community-wide knowledge about ACEs and the impact on individuals, families and the community as a whole,” Carlin said. “We are also developing plans to help create positive changes in the community.”
Another benefit is that Monroe Health Center-Craig County Health Center has just recently hired a full-time counselor in Tracy Whitaker who has an extensive background and knowledge about ACEs. Whitaker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 18 years of experience working with children, adults and families. Anyone is interested in speaking with Tracy, may contact the Craig County Health Center at (540) 864-6390 to make an appointment.
Additional online, information about ACEs can be found at the new CPPT website: www.craigppt.org and https://acestoohigh.com/.
CPPT added, “Please keep a lookout for more information as we continue to make plans and work with and for the community!”
