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Why ACEs Matter

The big deal with ACEs is how they affect the brain and body. When kids go through really stressful situations repeatedly—what researchers call "toxic stress"—it can mess with brain development. This stress can lead to long-term health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and depression.


Think of it this way: if your body’s stress response is always in overdrive because of these tough experiences, it’s like running a car engine nonstop—it’s going to wear out.

Why You Should Care

Understanding ACEs isn’t just about helping individuals—it’s about improving our communities as a whole. When we support kids and...

Can We Do Anything About ACEs?

The short answer is yes. Just because someone has been through ACEs doesn’t mean they’re doomed. Resilience—the ability to bounce back...

Breaking Down ACEs

The idea of ACEs comes from a big study in the 1990s by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente. They identified 10 types of experiences that fall...

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