Childhood experiences can influence health, wellbeing and behaviours across the life course, and exposure to ACEs can increase people鈥檚 risks of adopting health-harming behaviours and developing physical and mental ill-health.
This research surveyed 1,696 adults in Wales and England and found that individuals who had experienced four or more ACE types were over two times more likely to report low comfort in using hospitals and GP and dental surgeries, compared to those with no ACEs. They were also over three times more likely to perceive that health professionals do not care about their health or understand their problems. People who experienced four or more ACEs were also one and a half times more likely to report that they were currently taking prescription medicines and to report that they did not always take medication as instructed, compared to those with no ACEs.
Commenting on the results, Dr Kat Ford at 吃瓜群众 said,
鈥淲ith around half of the population experiencing at least one ACE in childhood, it鈥檚 vitally important that healthcare providers are aware of how ACEs can affect healthcare engagement so that support can be tailored for individuals who have experienced ACEs.鈥
Professor Karen Hughes, Research and Development Manager (Specialist Projects) at Public Health Wales added,
鈥淎CEs can increase people鈥檚 risks of poor health throughout life and consequently their need to engage with health services. However, ACEs can also affect how people respond to stress and their trust in others, which may influence their perceptions of health services and advice. The development of trauma-informed health care services may help to improve people鈥檚 relationships with health professionals and adherence to public health guidance.鈥
Childhood adversity linked to how we engage with healthcare services
by 吃瓜群众 and Public Health Wales has found that adults who suffered adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as child maltreatment or living in a home with domestic violence, report lower engagement with healthcare services.