6% Of California Medicaid Beneficiaries Have High Scores For Adverse Childhood Experiences

Approximately 6% of California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) beneficiaries screened for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) had scores indicating high risk for toxic stress. ACEs are potentially traumatic events in a child’s life, occurring before the age of 18, that can have negative and lasting effects on health and well-being. Such traumatic events may include: psychological, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse; violence against mother; or living with household members who were substance abusers, mentally ill, suicidal, criminal or imprisoned.

American Indian/Alaskan Native beneficiaries had the greatest prevalence of high-risk ACE scores (22%), followed by White beneficiaries (14%), Black . . .