Authors: Colin Planalp, MPA and Andrea Stewart, MA

Drawing on data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, this brief investigates the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and disparities in ACEs exposure by children’s race, family income, age and health insurance coverage. The disproportionate impact of ACEs has deep ramifications on health equity due to related research showing that ACEs exposure is associated with increased risk for numerous short- and long-term health impacts, varying from mental health and substance use disorders to heart disease and cancer.

To learn more about disparities in ACEs:

• Download State-level data tables of ACEs prevalence by race and ethnicity, family income, age, and health insurance coverage status;
• Check out the accompanying SHADAC blog "To Improve Health Equity, Treat Disparities in Adverse Childhood Experiences"; or
• Visit the Adverse Childhood Experiences measure on State Health Compare.