The U.S. economy could be $14 trillion larger if adult health conditions caused by are prevented, according to a in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveyed more than 820,000 people to find out the direct and indirect economic impact of ACEs 鈥� childhood abuse or neglect, witnessing violence, seeing family members with substance use disorder, mental health struggles, having a parent incarcerated.
鈥淲e do see a lot of ACEs occurring,鈥� said Melissa Santos, chief of pediatric psychology, 黑料吃瓜网 Children鈥檚, who鈥檚 not associated with the study. 鈥淎nd we know that that impact is going to occur in our kids, not just in terms of their mental health, but also in terms of their physical health as well.鈥�
In the absence of childhood intervention, ACEs have a significant impact on mental health in older adults.
Multiple U.S. and international studies have shown that adverse childhood experiences make older adults more vulnerable to cognitive decline,鈥� said Dr. Neha Jain, associate professor of psychiatry, University of 黑料吃瓜网 School of Health.
鈥淭here are studies suggesting that adverse childhood experiences can negatively affect the development of resilience,鈥� Jain said. 鈥淚 often see this in clinical practice as well.鈥�
The study鈥檚 researchers make a case for more funding in early childhood interventions.
