The Tip of the Trauma Iceberg: Adverse Childhood Experiences

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports that preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, household dysfunction could reduce the number of adults with depression by as much as 44%. ACEs are critical to identify and understand because they are highly common that cause lasting toxic stress that fundamentally changes brain development and health outcomes across a lifespan. Understanding them is crucial for preventing chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and, through early intervention, breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma. On today's show, we’re discussing ACEs with Clare Anderson, MSW, Senior Policy Fellow Emeritus at Chapin Hall, a policy research institution in Chicago that focuses on child welfare and family well-being. Clare is a national expert on child welfare policy and practice and national thought leader on economic and concrete supports. She was among the chief architects of the effort to address trauma, ACEs, and toxic stress in children known to the child welfare system. Also joining us for the conversation is Michelle Clausen, PhD, a nurse midwife, researcher, and fellow with the Primary Care Research Training Program and post-doctoral scholar at the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Her research focus is on developing interventions that incorporate trauma-informed strategies and spirituality to improve health outcomes. ◘ Related Links: CDC's About Adverse Childhood Experiences page, https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html; Adverse California Surgeon General’s Clinical Advisory Committee' Childhood Experience Questionnaire for Adults, https://bit.ly/4aUJewT; California Department of Health Care Services' ACEs Aware information website, https://www.acesaware.org/; Navigating Economic Shocks: Public Policy Can Support or Stress Families with Clare Anderson, https://bit.ly/3ZH3dsA; Chapin white papers about ACEs, https://bit.ly/4kCQsc2 ◘ Transcript bit.ly/3JoA2mz ◘ This podcast features the song “Follow Your Dreams” (freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Ho…ur_Dreams_1918) by Scott Holmes, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial (01https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) license. ◘ Disclaimer: The content and information shared in GW Integrative Medicine is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in GW Integrative Medicine represent the opinions of the host(s) and their guest(s). For medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment, please consult a medical professional.