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Table 1 Health and social problems shown to have a graded relationship to the ACE Score

From: Adverse childhood experiences and prescription drug use in a cohort study of adult HMO patients

Type of Problem

Outcomes Associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences

Prevalent Diseases

Ischemic heart disease6,7 cancer,6 chronic lung disease,6 skeletal fractures,6 sexually transmitted diseases,6,32,33 and liver disease6,11

Risk Factors for Common Diseases/Poor Health

Smoking,3,6,31,32 alcohol abuse,12,31,32,34 promiscuity,6,31,32,35 obesity,2,6,31 illicit drug use,6,31,32,36 injected drug use,6,31,36 multiple somatic symptoms,31 poor self-rated health,6 high perceived risk of AIDS35

Poor Mental Health

Depressive disorders,6,31,32,37 anxiety,31 hallucinations,31,38 panic reactions,31 sleep disturbances,31 memory disturbances,31,39 poor anger control,31 risk of perpetrating or being a victim of domestic violence31

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Early age at first intercourse,31,35 sexual dissatisfaction,31 teen pregnancy,40 unintended pregnancy,41 teen paternity,42 fetal death40

General Health and Social Problems

High perceived stress,31 difficulty with job performance,43 relationship problems,43 marriage to an alcoholic34

  1. * A complete bibliography of ACE Study publications listed by topic area is available.57