Ohio Health Policy News

A critical aspect of preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is ensuring that children have a strong start in life and home visiting is a key prevention strategy.

According to an estimate from the Ohio Department of Health, more than 83% of Ohioans who need home visiting are not enrolled in a program identified as “evidence-based” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness (HomVEE) review (as illustrated in the graphic above).

Analysis from HPIO has found that home visiting programs are an evidence-based, multi-generational strategy proven to prevent and mitigate the impacts of ACEs. Trained providers (home visitors) visit expectant parents and families with infants and young children, providing one-on-one support for healthy parent and child development, early education and family needs. Participation in home visiting programs is typically voluntary.

These findings will be included in a new policy brief that HPIO plans to release next month as part of its Ohio ACEs Impact project.

A new policy brief, “Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): A strategic approach to prevent ACEs in Ohio,” identifies 12 cost-beneficial strategies that state leaders can use to prevent adverse childhood experiences.

Earlier analysis from HPIO’s Ohio ACEs Impact project found that more than one-third of Ohio adults (36%) reported exposure to two or more ACEs. And first-of-its-kind analysis by HPIO estimated that more than $10 billion in annual healthcare and related spending could be avoided in Ohio if exposure to ACEs was eliminated.

“ACEs are not inevitable and Ohioans are resilient,” the new report states. “Exposure to ACEs does not have to determine future hardship. There are strategies that state policymakers and others can deploy to prevent ACEs and safeguard the well-being of Ohio children and families who have experienced adversity and trauma.” 

The report also highlights steps Ohio’s public and private leaders can take to ensure that communities across the state are equipped to support children and families that are most at risk for experiencing adversity and trauma – including Ohioans of color and Ohioans with low incomes, disabilities and/or who live in urban and Appalachian areas.

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released a new fact sheet, “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).”

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented health, social and economic challenges for all Ohioans. These challenges are far-reaching, including loss of loved ones, unemployment, business closures, disruption to K-12 education and increased stress and social isolation.

The full extent of the impacts of the pandemic on children and youth will take years to discern. However, early indicators of childhood adversity signal the impact of the pandemic on potential challenges to Ohio’s health, well-being and economic vitality for years to come. The fact sheet includes links to recent reports that provide evidence-informed policies that can be implemented in Ohio to prevent and mitigate the impacts of ACEs and eliminate disparities.

The fact sheet is the latest in a series of HPIO publications and an online resource page to examine the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in Ohio. Other publications include:

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Health Impact of ACEs in Ohio
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Economic Impact of ACEs in Ohio
• Fact sheet: Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Ohio
• Fact sheet: The link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and poor health

A new HPIO fact sheet, The Link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Poor Health, includes first-of-its-kind analysis in Ohio that estimates that 36% of depression diagnoses in Ohio can be attributed to experiencing multiple adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs.

That means that if exposure to ACEs were eliminated among Ohioans, an estimated 36% of depression diagnoses could be prevented.

Similarly, in Ohio, 33% of current smoking, 25% of inability to afford care, 24% of asthma, 20% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 19% of heavy drinking is potentially preventable with the elimination of exposure to ACEs.

The fact sheet is an excerpt from the HPIO policy brief Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Health Impact of ACEs in Ohio, which was released in August. Last week HPIO released a fact sheet describing the prevalence of ACEs in Ohio, which highlighted that more than two-thirds of Ohioans have been exposed to at least one ACE.

As part of its Ohio Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Impact Project, HPIO has launched an ACEs resource page.

The web page lists resources and research to further understanding of the impacts of ACEs on health, organized in the following areas:

• ACEs basics
• Impacts of ACEs on health
• Protective factors

Led by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, the Ohio ACEs Impact Project includes the development of a series of three policy briefs and this resource page to build on current efforts to understand and address ACEs in Ohio.

HPIO is hosting an online forum Sept. 29 titled “Improving child health and wellbeing: Creating opportunities for all Ohio children to thrive.”

As the 2019 Health Value Dashboard illustrates, too many Ohioans face obstacles to health, which are often rooted in childhood conditions and experiences. This forum will discuss the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on Ohioans including recent effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attendees will learn about the biological impact of ACEs and trauma; best practices for screening, treatment and prevention; and considerations for Ohio's response to ACEs in the midst of the pandemic. For more information, or to register, visit the event page on HPIO’s website.

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released a new policy brief, "Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Health Impact of ACEs in Ohio."

The brief summarizes current research on how ACEs impact health and well-being and provides new data and analysis on the prevalence of ACEs in Ohio and the impact of ACEs on the health of Ohioans.

In addition, the brief expands on what we know from national research by exploring these questions:

• To what extent could Ohio’s health outcomes be improved by preventing ACEs?
• Which ACEs have the most significant impact on the health of Ohioans?

Preventing and mitigating the impact of ACEs are critical components of any plan to advance the health and well-being of Ohioans. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and other policymakers have already taken significant strides to improve the health and well-being of Ohio’s children, including the creation of the Governor’s Office of Children’s Initiatives and improvements to the state’s child welfare and home visiting systems. In addition, the 2020-2022 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) includes reduction of ACEs as a priority.

Policymakers and other stakeholders can use the Ohio-specific data and analyses provided in this brief to inform future approaches to reduce ACEs exposure in Ohio.