Study: KY Kids Face More Childhood Adversity

Kentucky’s children have experienced - on average - more Adverse Childhood Experiences than children nationwide.  
 
An Adverse Childhood Experience, or ACE, can be the death or incarceration of a parent, witnessing or being a victim of violence, or living with someone who has a drug or alcohol problem.  
 
According to a recent report from The National Survey of Children’s Health, about 53% of children in Kentucky have had at least one ACE.  
 
That’s significantly higher than the national rate of about 46%.  

The report says those adverse experiences can increase the risk of smoking, alcoholism, depression and other illnesses or unhealthy behaviors. 

Martha Davis of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation helped lead the study, and says changing some policies could help these situations. 

"Policies that help create healthy communities - whether it's safe housing, access to food, community violence prevention - there's a whole range that can really make a big difference," Davis said. 

She said things like paid family leave, home visiting, and access to affordable high-quality childcare and education can help, too. 
 
See more details on this study at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website at the link below.