In 2016, Public Health Wales published the first Welsh ACEs study which revealed 47% of adults in Wales suffered at least one ACE in their childhood, and 14% suffered four or more. Although ACEs cross every social boundary and aren’t just about children, research shows that those living in areas of deprivation are a greater risk of experiencing multiple ACEs.

Children who experience stressful and poor quality childhoods are more likely to experience poor mental health due to poor self-image and self-worth. They are more likely to adopt health-harming behaviours during adolescence which can lead to diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes later in life.

ACEs are not just a concern for health; experiencing them can mean individuals are more likely to perform poorly in school and more likely to be involved in crime both as victims and perpetrators. People who experience multiple ACEs as children often raise their own children in households where ACEs are more common. This cycle of childhood adversity can lock generations of families into poor health and anti-social behaviour.  However, this cycle can be broken. Preventing ACEs in a single generation or reducing their impacts can benefit not only those children but also future generations in Wales.

In Wales, the ACE Support Hub has been established to share information, knowledge and evidence about what works; work with communities, children and families to develop solutions; provide training to professionals and drive change throughout Wales.