The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is an initiative of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente. It is one of the largest investigations ever conducted to assess associations between childhood maltreatment and later-life health and well-being.

 

Findings from the Study suggest that certain experiences are major risk factors for the leading causes of illness and death as well as poor quality of life in the United States. It is critical to understand how some of the worst health and social problems in our nation can arise as a consequence of adverse childhood experiences. Realizing these connections is likely to improve efforts towards prevention and recovery.