An ACE is a childhood trauma. It could be growing up in an alcoholic home, living through a parent’s divorce, or violence near the home. ACEs are common. About six in 10 adults live through at least one ACE before age 18. Nearly one in six adults have dealt with ACEs of four or more types before age 18. There is a strong tie between ACEs and poor outcomes later in life. That includes health problems like:
Obesity.
Diabetes.
Heart disease.
Substance misuse.
Depression.
Poor school performance.
Trouble holding a job.
ACEs occur in all types of homes at all income levels. Experts break ACEs down into three major categories.