HPIO brief to detail strategies for combatting adverse childhood experiences

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Health Policy Institute of Ohio is planning to release a new publication Tuesday, January 30, that details the state’s progress in taking action on several key evidence-informed strategies to eliminate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) through promotion of social norms that protect against violence and adversity and interventions to lessen immediate and long-term harms.
 
A  four-page executive summary will be included in the release.
 
ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood and can generally be grouped into three categories: abuse, household challenges and neglect. 
 
“Promoting positive social norms, such as a shared sense of responsibility for the health and well-being of children, can prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs),” the brief states. “Treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUD) among parents and other caregivers can also reduce risks for ACEs. At the same time, when ACEs do occur, there are many trauma-informed interventions that can reduce harm and prevent similar adversity for future generations.”
 
Since 2020, HPIO has released a series of policy briefs on ACEs in Ohio. As part of that work, HPIO outlined a comprehensive and strategic approach to preventing ACEs, elevating 12 key evidence-informed strategies. The publication released next week is the final of three examining opportunities to prevent ACEs in Ohio.
 
HPIO’s previous research found that Ohio can eliminate more than $10 billion in annual healthcare and related spending attributable to ACEs exposure.
 
Support for this project was provided by the Harmony Project, the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association and HPIO’s other core funders.

For any questions about the analysis, or if you would like to talk with the report’s authors, please call or text Nick Wiselogel at 614.530.9918 or email nwiselogel@hpio.net. 

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