It is becoming increasingly clear that medical practice can benefit from incorporating an understanding of the social and emotional factors that impact health – especially for children and youth. The ACEs research and subsequent implementation in many programs around the country have demonstrated that health outcomes can be improved when a trauma responsive approach to medical care is adopted.
Medical systems and practices that have adopted these approaches have reported:
- Increased access and utilization of care, especially among their most vulnerable patients
- Improved health outcomes and more stable health results
- Intergenerational impact arising from addressing health risks in families that have an impact on child health
- More time focusing on issues that have a long-term outcome
- Focusing more on prevention and catching problems at their root
- More satisfying outcomes for patients leading to more satisfying work experiences for practitioners