The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study:

Unveiling the Hidden Impact of Childhood Trauma

Discover how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can shape your health outcomes as an adult and what you can do to break the cycle.
Calculate Your ACE Score

Are Children Really Resilient?

The common belief is that children are naturally resilient and can easily bounce back from hardship.

However, research shows that this isn’t the case. While children may appear to adapt, the price they pay often emerges later in life.

ACEs can lead to serious health issues that manifest years or even decades later, challenging the idea of resilience as we know it.

These statistics highlight the wide-ranging impact of childhood adversity on health, behavior, and socioeconomic outcomes.

Calculate Your ACE Score

Beyond Behavior: The True Impact of ACEs

It’s Not Just About Lifestyle Choices

For years, it was thought that adult health problems stemmed mostly from lifestyle choices like smoking, substance abuse, or poor diet. But the ACE Study revealed a deeper truth—ACEs increase the risk for health conditions even when these factors are taken into account. Childhood trauma leaves a lasting mark on the body, independent of lifestyle choices.

The More ACEs,
The Higher the Risk


ACEs don’t just cause short-term harm—they have a cumulative effect.

The more ACEs a person experiences, the higher their risk for chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and even early mortality. These experiences form a foundation for lifelong health challenges that cannot be ignored.

These statistics highlight the wide-ranging impact of childhood adversity on health, behavior, and socioeconomic outcomes.

  •  64% of patients in the original ACE Study reported at least one ACE.

  • 1 in 6 adults have experienced four or more types of ACEs.

  • 4 or more ACEs increase the risk of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, by up to 400%.

  • Individuals with 6 or more ACEs have a life expectancy that is 20 years shorter on average than those with no ACEs.

  • People with 4 or more ACEs are 2.5 times more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

  • People with 4 or more ACEs are 12 times more likely to attempt suicide.

  • ACEs are linked to an increased risk of substance abuse: individuals with 4 or more ACEs are 7 times more likely to be alcoholics.

  • Women with 4 or more ACEs are 1.5 times more likely to experience depression.

  • People with 3 or more ACEs are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases.

  • Children exposed to 4 or more ACEs are 32 times more likely to have learning and behavioral issues in school.

  • ACEs contribute to 61% of cases of depression among adults.

  • Individuals with 4 or more ACEs are 1.5 times more likely to experience financial stress or unemployment as adults.

  • ACEs are associated with a higher likelihood of early initiation of sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy.

Calculate Your ACE Score

Your ACE score is a simple count of how many of the 10 types of Adverse Childhood Experiences you have experienced before the age of 18. The higher your ACE score, the greater the potential impact on your physical and mental health throughout your life. Understanding your ACE score can be the first step toward recognizing the effects of childhood trauma and taking steps toward healing.

Curious about your ACE score?

Take a moment to reflect and tally your experiences to see how childhood adversity may be influencing your current health and well-being.

Calculate Your ACE Score