Public health

Question 1

What is an ACE?

Answer 1

Adverse childhood experiences - potentially traumatic events that can have negative long lasting effects. (range from emotional, physical and sexual abuse to parental divorce/ domestics)

Question 2

If you have more aces, are you more likely to go to drug and alcohol?

Answer 2

YES

Question 3

Is it possible to have a positive level of stress?

Answer 3

Yes - a brief increase in heart rate/ mild elevations in stress hormones is good for you

Question 4

How does chronic stress affect a child’s brain?

Answer 4

Changes its nervous, hormonal and immunological developement

lead to a ‘locked state of alertness’ and they are permanently prepared for further trauma (increase risk of cancer, heart disease)

Question 5

What can chronic stress from ACE leads to?

Answer 5

Violence - over-develop ‘life-preserving’ brain
neutral cues look threatening
school - anxious, disengaged, poor learner

Question 6

Intergeneration affect?

Answer 6

Abuse etc is passed on throughout the family

Question 7

What is primordial prevention

Answer 7

Prevention across a population