15% Of Youth Have Had Four Or More Adverse Childhood Experiences

About 15% of youth under age 18 have had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), according to an analysis of 65 studies that assessed the prevalence of ACEs among nearly 500,000 children from 18 countries. ACEs include abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction. Children exposed to ACEs are more likely to experience adverse physical and mental health outcomes, such as mental illness, substance use, chronic diseases, and obesity. Prolonged exposure to ACEs plus a lack of supportive caregivers and/or interventions can lead to toxic stress; and cognitive, social, and emotional challenges.

Of all the children included in the studies, about 42 . . .