ACEs Reported

Put simply, a higher number of ACEs means a higher risk of health problems. Experiencing traumatic events early in life has a substantial impact on one’s cognitive, social, emotional, and biological development/functioning. Oklahoma has consistently seen high rates of childhood adversity, highlighting the need to address this public health crisis.

Traumatic experiences can flood a child’s body with stress-related hormones that negatively impact biological and psychological development in a condition called “toxic stress.” Especially if repeated or ongoing, this leads to bad health outcomes over a lifetime. Research has shown a strong connection between ACEs and a heightened risk of chronic diseases, mental health disorders (see Depression and Anxiety and Frequent Mental Distress), substance use, and even early mortality. 

Multiple studies have shown that girls are both more likely to experience ACEs at higher rates and frequencies compared to their male counterparts. As of 2024, 20% of Oklahoma women report having experienced at least one ACE in their lifetime, and 28.3% have experienced 4 or more.

For women, ACEs are also strongly associated with intimate partner violence (see Intimate Partner Violence), sexual violence (see Sexual Violence), and incarceration (see Female Incarceration) in adulthood. Further, not only do ACEs worsen childhood socioeconomic struggles, but they also increase the likelihood of facing the same challenges as an adult. Those who experience ACEs are less likely to graduate high school/college (see Women with a High School Degree and Women with a College Degree), be employed, and have health insurance (see Uninsured Women). 

Most ACEs can occur regardless of socioeconomic status. However, some ACE events –like divorce or having a parent incarcerated– can severely strain financial resources, disproportionately impacting families with lower incomes (see Women Experiencing Poverty). Additional barriers, including limited access to healthcare services (see Access to Mental Health Services and Access to Care in Rural Areas), caretaking responsibilities, and fear of abuse or retaliation for seeking help, exacerbate ACE exposure and related health outcomes. 

Studies have also shown that Black, Hispanic, and multiracial individuals, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and disabled women have higher ACE scores, reflecting broader health disparities. Research has linked the co-occurrence of ACEs and discrimination to poorer health outcomes. 

Parents with higher ACE scores are far more likely to have children with higher ACEs, highlighting the critical need to support both parents and their children in order to break intergenerational cycles of trauma.