Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Health

Abstract

The article [“Adverse childhood exposures and reported child health at age 12”] by Flaherty and colleagues in this issue studies the determinants of health in 805 high-risk children by evaluating them at age 6 and age 12, prospectively matching adverse life experiences against subsequent health outcomes during childhood. This follows the general concept of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, which matched adverse childhood experiences against adult and adolescent health risks, health status, and social functioning. The most important findings of the Flaherty article are that adverse childhood experiences are surprisingly common even in the earliest years, are generally unrecognized, can be identified during childhood by history from children and caretakers, and can start to manifest their damage as ill health and somatization during childhood itself. Recognition of these facts provides clear opportunity for early intervention. (Author Text)