ACES and Prevent Child Abuse Iowa Updates

New report links childhood trauma to risk of poor adult health

 

A new report from the Central Iowa ACEs 360 Coalition, in partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, shows most Iowa adults have experienced childhood trauma, an indicator of higher rates of chronic diseases, mental illness, violence, risky behaviors, and reduced life expectancy among adults.

The 2016 ACEs report,  Beyond ACEs: Building Hope & Resiliency in Iowa, examines three years of data collected among adult Iowans measuring eight types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), defined as physical, sexual and emotional child abuse, and household difficulties of parental substance abuse, mental illness, incarceration, divorce, and domestic violence. The report reveals how ACEs impact Iowans across the state. It also showcases emerging opportunities to respond to trauma. 

Among the findings:

• 56 percent of Iowa adults report at least one ACE; 14.5 percent report four or more ACEs, signaling a high level of stress in childhood
• Those reporting four or more ACEs are 2.2 times more likely to have a heart attack, 3.3 times more likely to smoke, and 6 times more likely to have been diagnosed with depression than adults with no ACEs
• Iowa youth are likely experiencing stress at a similar level as adults, with about 25 percent of Iowa youth reporting at least three risk factors and eight percent with six-plus risk factors out of 16 questions on the Iowa Youth Survey.

"The Iowa ACEs data helps us better understand the long-term impact of childhood trauma," said Liz Cox, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. "Research also shows that meaningful, caring connections mitigate the impact of childhood trauma and reduce the risk for poor physical and mental health outcomes in life. Safe, nurturing environments - at home, at school, and at work - strengthen a community, build resilience, and improve well-being among children and adults." 
Read the press release. 

PCA Iowa launches ACEs-response initiatives

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa has teamed up with the Central Iowa ACEs 360 Coalition to launch two initiatives designed to engage Iowans in responding to childhood trauma - one designed to build caring connections in communities and another at identifying best practices in family and child health care.

Both projects aim to increase actions that promote greater support for individuals and families. Research shows that the more help and support individuals have, the less impact childhood trauma has on their well-being. These factors also reduce the likelihood that child abuse will occur in families.

The projects are made possible with major funding contributions from Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, an anonymous donor and United Way of Central Iowa.

Read more. 

The Des Moines Register features ACEsDes Moines Register reporter Daniel Finney recently wrote a column on how ACEs impact individuals' health and well-being, and how we can begin to respond through caring connections. He writes, "This does not mean that children who suffer adverse childhood experiences are doomed to a life of troubles. The biggest single factor is the people in their lives who inspire resilience." Read the full story. 

Regional training and candidate forums in SeptemberWe will host five regional meetings across Iowa this September. Community partners will receive training on topics including protective factors, safe sleep and Iowa ACEs data. Each meeting will feature a state legislator candidate forum in partnership with Every Child Matters. More details to be shared soon.