How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime | Nadine Burke Harris | TED

TED・2 minutes read

Childhood trauma has a significant impact on health, increasing the risk for leading causes of death by affecting various bodily systems. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are common and correlated with worse health outcomes, emphasizing the importance of addressing trauma for improved health and well-being.

Insights

  • Childhood trauma, such as abuse or neglect, can significantly impact health by affecting brain development, immune system, hormones, and DNA transcription.
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are prevalent, with high rates correlating to worse health outcomes, highlighting the importance of addressing trauma early through initiatives like the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco.

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Recent questions

  • What is the impact of childhood trauma on health?

    Childhood trauma significantly affects health, increasing the risk for leading causes of death. It impacts brain development, immune system, hormonal systems, and DNA transcription. Exposure to high doses of trauma triples the risk of heart disease and lung cancer, leading to a 20-year life expectancy difference.

  • What are examples of childhood trauma?

    Childhood trauma includes severe threats like abuse, neglect, or parental mental illness/substance dependence. These experiences can have lasting effects on an individual's health and well-being, impacting various systems in the body.

  • How common are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

    ACEs are common, with 67% of individuals having at least one ACE and 12.6% having four or more. These experiences can lead to worse health outcomes and affect various systems in the body, highlighting the importance of addressing childhood trauma.

  • What is the correlation between ACE scores and health outcomes?

    The ACEs Study by Dr. Felitti and Dr. Anda correlated ACE scores with health outcomes, showing a significant impact on overall well-being. Higher ACE scores were associated with worse health outcomes, emphasizing the need to address childhood trauma and its effects on health.

  • How does the Center for Youth Wellness address childhood trauma?

    The Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco screens, treats, and educates on ACEs and toxic stress, emphasizing prevention and tailored care. By addressing childhood trauma early on and providing support, the center aims to improve the health and well-being of individuals affected by ACEs.

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Summary

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Impact of Childhood Trauma on Health

  • CDC and Kaiser Permanente discovered childhood trauma's significant impact on health, increasing risk for leading causes of death.
  • Childhood trauma affects brain development, immune system, hormonal systems, and DNA transcription.
  • Exposure to high doses of trauma triples heart disease and lung cancer risk, with a 20-year life expectancy difference.
  • Trauma includes severe threats like abuse, neglect, or parental mental illness/substance dependence.
  • Opening a clinic in an underserved neighborhood revealed high ADHD referrals due to trauma, not ADHD.
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study by Dr. Felitti and Dr. Anda correlated ACE scores with health outcomes.
  • ACEs are common, with 67% having at least one ACE and 12.6% having four or more, leading to worse health outcomes.
  • ACEs affect brain structure, immune and hormonal systems, DNA transcription, and stress response system.
  • Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco screens, treats, and educates on ACEs and toxic stress, emphasizing prevention and tailored care.
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