FACULTY NEWS
MAHP Foundation launches Michigan initiative
At the end of last year , the Michigan Association of Health Plans Foundation ( MAHPF ) received a two-year grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to support an initiative , “ Creating Healing Communities : Addressing Adverse Childhood Experience in Michigan .”
ACEs are serious childhood traumas that result in toxic stress , which can damage the developing brain of a child and affect overall health . This toxic stress may prevent child from learning and from playing in a healthy way with other children and can result in long-term health problems .
From the original research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente Health Plan , 10 ACEs are grouped in the following areas : abuse ( physical , sexual , or emotional ); neglect ( physical or emotional ) and household dysfunction ( mental illness , substance abuse , domestic violence , parental separation / divorce , incarceration ).
This research studied over 17,000 individuals at the Kaiser Permanente Health Plan in San Diego and the impact of various childhood adverse experiences in the context of each individual ’ s current health status . This study set into motion hundreds of additional research and related program initiatives continuing to this day .
The 10 adverse childhood experiences are those listed in the illustration below . While the percentages in the chart are from the original study , the recent survey results in Michigan revealed similar percentages .
Based on this research and supported by subsequent studies , populations with an ACE score of 4 or more are :
• Twice as likely to smoke
• Seven times more likely to be alcoholics
• Six times more likely to have had sex before age 15
• Twice as likely to have been diagnosed with cancer
• Twice as likely to have heart disease
• Four times as likely to suffer from emphysema or chronic bronchitis
• Twelve times as likely to have attempted suicide
• Five times more likely to be involved in interpersonal violence or get raped
• Ten times more likely to have injected street drugs
An ACE score of 8 reflects four co-occurring problems .
Fortunately , children are resilient if given an opportunity , and that is the objective being pursued by the MAHP Foundation . Our failure to address ACE is being absorbed by the adult health care issues , costs and dysfunctions . By pursuing a comprehensive and long-term initiative to address ACE , Michigan can create change . The Michigan Association of Health Plans Foundation grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund launches that comprehensive effort .
Under the Grant Award , the MAHP Foundation will provide :
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Findings from the original Adverse Childhood Experiences ( ACE ) research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente Health Plan .
Fall 2017 / Winter 2018 SSW NEWS