Document Type

Other

Publication Date

3-23-2023

Abstract

This research proposal aims to assess the current state of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in California and justify the need for conducting a prospective cohort study. This paper will cover recent initiatives to screen more individuals for ACEs, such as reimbursements of screening by California’s Medicaid health care program and SB 428, which has mandated commercial insurance coverage of ACEs screening in primary care visits. This article will discuss the lack of prospective cohort studies in the U.S. and California that examine the relationship between screening for ACEs and future physical and mental health outcomes for individuals. This paper proposes and outlines the steps needed to gather quantitative survey-based data through a longitudinal perspective cohort study while engaging the community to be part of the research. Another argument made in this paper is that more states nationwide should pass policies similar to California because ACEs are costly. According to the 2020 California Surgeon General’s Report on Adverse Childhood Experiences, Toxic Stress, and Health, ACEs cost California around $112.5 billion annually. Screening for ACEs is an effective way for the states to ensure they create a healthy community and help individuals mitigate the negative health consequences of ACEs.

Comments

Finalist

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