Leading causes of death among adults have been well studied and are understood to be partly related to both health behaviors and lifestyle factors. Adverse childhood experiences (ACE), particularly abuse, are known to have long-term consequences; however, there had been no previous analysis of ACEs and their contribution to adult behaviors, lifestyle decisions, or disease prevalence. This study sought to understand the role ACEs play in long-term health outcomes.

To measure the relationship between childhood exposure to adverse events and adult household dysfunction, health-risk behaviors, and disease.

Retrospective cross-sectional study in a large US urban primary care clinic from 1995 to 1996.