In a time of limited resources and growing needs, policy makers need to understand the causes of our deepest social issues and invest resources appropriately. Understanding the role of childhood trauma and the social costs that trauma creates in health care, drug and alcohol abuse, poverty, lost productivity, incarceration, and special education will drive informed social policy. Supporting programs that build resilience will reduce costs in treatment, education, criminal justice, and create a stronger society.

How can policy be informed by the ACE study?

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study can brings cohesion and synergy to policy work with its findings that illustrate how the cumulative stress of ACEs can be a powerful determinate of the public’s health and a strongest common driver of mental, physical and behavioral health costs. Through the prevention and promotion of awareness of ACEs policy makers can help create informed policy that gets to the heart of the issues that create many health problems and in doing so be more effective with public dollars.

How much do ACE-related outcomes cost, and what return on investment can be expected for preventive interventions?

Maine spends over 3.5 billion dollars a year on outcomes relevant to ACEs, not counting lost work productivity (absent, not fully productive, etc.). It is estimated that over $500 million in expenses is attributable to those having 4 or more ACEs and that if even ¼ of those experiencing the above outcomes could resolve their impairment (to ‘not bothered’), the state could save $124 million annually.