Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) encompass all types of abuse, neglect, and other potentially traumatic experiences such as violence or instability in the home that occur in childhood (under age 18). Although ACEs are experienced in childhood, they have wide-reaching effects and lasting impacts into adulthood.

Preventing ACEs could significantly reduce the number of people with chronic conditions, such as depression or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), as well as the number of adults who engage in risky substance use.

To provide critical ACEs information to professionals in the education and healthcare sectors, and to equip our partners to make data-informed changes to their community, OMNI, in partnership with the Virginia State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW), created an ACEs brief. The brief explores national and statewide data resources and identifies ways local stakeholder groups can help prevent ACEs in the community.