A study assessing the risk and health impacts of ACEs in Ontario

Project Summary

Exposure to traumatic and stressful childhood events, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), is strongly linked to poorer physical and mental health outcomes across the lifespan. The risk of ACEs is not equally distributed across the population. Equity-deserving groups, such as racialized and 2SLGBT+ populations, who experience inequitable access to the social determinants needed to live a healthy life, are at increased risk of ACEs. These experiences, in turn, have detrimental health impacts. Minimizing the risk and impact of ACEs is therefore a vitally important health equity issue. To date, there have been limited studies examining ACEs and their impacts on health in adulthood in Ontario. Using cross-sectional CLSA data, the present study aims to create a detailed profile of ACEs and their impacts on physical and mental in Ontario, including variations by socio-demographic group. Findings can help to inform provincial-level early intervention and preventative approaches.