Are adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) the root cause of the Aboriginal health gap in Australia?

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Abstract

Indigenous Australians face a two-fold likelihood of experiencing multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) including neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse compared with the general Australian population.
The higher rate of ACEs among Indigenous Australians has consequentially led to the early diagnosis of chronic illnesses (eg, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke), mental health issues (eg, anxiety, depression, suicide) and early death.
Strength-based approaches, which involve codesigned and Indigenous-led primary prevention programmes, as well as integrative ACE screening and treatment, will not only improve long-term public health outcomes but will also reduce healthcare costs and help close the Health Gap.

We believe ACEs are the root cause of the Aboriginal health gap in Australia.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere014901
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalBMJ Global Health
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 04 Mar 2024

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