Understanding Lifespan Effects of Childhood Trauma

(White Plains, NY – September 25, 2013) Trauma and

toxic stress in childhood (abuse, family disruption, extreme deprivation) are

proven to have lifelong consequences on physical and emotional health,

according to the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES). The ACE Study was
a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in
Atlanta, GA, and Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, CA. Co-principal investigator,
Dr. Robert Anda, presented the findings of the study at an Advocacy Breakfast
hosted by the Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) in 2012.

In response to the breakfast and with a grant from the Edith

Glick Shoolman Children’s Foundation, WCA has developed a public education
campaign about how individuals and communities can act to prevent and
ameliorate the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences. The next multi-media
presentation is scheduled for:



Sunday, October 20 - 11am-12pm

Ethical Society of Northern Westchester
108 Pinesbridge Road, Ossining

About the ACE Study* The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is one of the
largest investigations ever conducted to assess associations between childhood
maltreatment and later-life health and well-being. The study was a
collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser
Permanente's Health Appraisal Clinic in San Diego.

More than 17,000 Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

members undergoing a comprehensive physical examination chose to provide
detailed information about their childhood experience of abuse, neglect, and
family dysfunction. To date, more than 50 scientific articles have been published
and more than100 conference and workshop presentations have been made.

The ACE Study findings suggest that certain experiences are

major risk factors for the leading causes of illness and death as well as poor

quality of life in the United States. Progress in preventing and recovering

from the nation's worst health and social problems is likely to benefit from

understanding that many of these problems arise as a consequence of adverse
childhood experiences.

*From the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention