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TN is winning the race to the bottom in terms of health outcomes for residents largely due to failure of leadership to make apt use of critical support systems impacting youth. As we fight the pandemics of racism & #COVID19 this is key to moving forward.1/ https://www.tnjustice.org/how-tn-health-crises-relate-to-adverse-childhood-experiences/
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to forms of abuse, neglect, poverty, bullying, and household challenges that occur to children under eighteen years. They are often multigenerational and cyclical.
There is a positive correlation between the number of ACEs experienced and likelihood of acquiring an early-onset chronic disease in adulthood. This correlation gets stronger as the number of ACEs increases.
Health problems like substance use disorders and chronic illnesses like diabetes are directly related to ACEs. These diseases adversely affect TN’s workforce capacity.
Substance use is one of the largest contributors to ACEs, as well as a common outcome for those with a higher prevalence of ACEs. The cycle is self-perpetuating.
Working Tennesseans also face poor access to healthcare. The decision not to expand Medicaid has left 300K+ residents in the coverage gap, categorically ineligible for Medicaid and too poor for state marketplace insurance. #expandmedicaidtn
The cyclical nature of ACEs combined with a lack of health coverage is leading to a less healthy and less productive TN workforce
How do we help break the cycle? 1) increase screening for ACEs during primary care visits. All providers should be trauma-informed to disrupt the cyclical nature of ACEs and improve the quality of TN’s workforce.
2) Expand Medicaid to cover families in the coverage gap. Health coverage can reduce the likelihood of ACEs and household dysfunction. #expandmedicaidtn https://www.tnjustice.org/medicaid-expansion/
3) Add ACEs education to school curricula. Teaching students to be trauma-informed will decrease prevalence of bullying and increase the awareness of ACEs so intervention can happen.
Read the report: https://www.tnjustice.org/how-tn-health-crises-relate-to-adverse-childhood-experiences/
Read the report: https://www.tnjustice.org/how-tn-health-crises-relate-to-adverse-childhood-experiences/
