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Michigan Adverse Childhood Experiences Data Dashboard

63%

of Michigan high school students have reported one or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Source: 2019 Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

ACEs are potentially traumatic or stressful experiences that can happen to any of us before we turn 18.

Icons arranged to show types of adverse childhood experiences. Abuse can be physical, emotional or sexual. Neglect can by physical or emotional. Household challenges can be mental illness, divorce, a parent treated violently, an incarcerated relative or substance abuse.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adverse childhood experiences prevention strategy. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/injury/pdfs/priority/ACEs-Strategic-Plan_Final_508.pdf

68% of Michigan adults have reported one or more ACEs.

Source: 2019 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey

ACEs are common, and have the potential to significantly affect physical, mental, and economic health. Focusing on prevention can dramatically reduce their negative impacts on individuals and communities.

2019 Michigan PACE Infographic
View 2019 ACEs Michigan Youth Infographic
Children with any number of ACEs can and do experience healthy development. However, it is important to understand that as a child is exposed to more ACEs, they are at higher risk for experiencing health and behavioral health problems. The infographic linked here shows the breakdown of Michigan youth by number of ACEs they have experienced. Sometimes the cutoff of 4 or more ACEs is used to represent youth at particularly high risk for future health and behavioral problems, but this number is just a reference point.
4.4 Million

4.4 Million

In 2019, an estimated 4.4 million adults in Michigan reported having at least one ACE.
Source: 2019 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey

260,000

260,000

In 2019, an estimated 260,000 Michigan high school students reported having one or more ACEs.
Source: 2019 Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey

$585 Billion

$585 Billion

Child abuse and neglect are important ACEs that are often examined to look at financial burden. The estimated total economic burden of child abuse and neglect in the United States is as large as $585 billion dollars.
Source: Fang et al. 2012

Not all children who experience ACEs develop health problems. In fact, many demonstrate resilience – living healthy, happy, and productive lives. Even struggling families have many inherent strengths (protective factors such as family and community support), that help kids overcome trauma and adversity.

Data Tell The Story

Click a card to view data based on that category

Adverse experiences are events or risk factors that occur through many areas of a child’s life. Within each area there are also many protective factors that support children and families.

Home & Family Environment
Access to Care
School Environment
Neighborhood & Community
Abuse/Neglect
System & Policy Factors

Experiencing ACEs can lead to toxic stress – a physiological state of prolonged or excessive stress or arousal. Toxic stress can show up as a wide range of social, behavioral and psychosocial health problems.

Chronic Diseases
Health Risk Behaviors
Mental Health

Interested in learning how ACEs impact our bodies and minds?

Click the button below to learn more about toxic stress.

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