About ACEs

There's a direct link between childhood trauma and the adult onset of chronic disease, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung cancer and COPD, often referred to as emphysema.

This group -- ACEs -- is about people who have high ACE scores. ACE scores between four and 10 can identify those of us who are at risk for developing chronic diseases or explain why we have chronic disease. Knowing our ACE score can help us take steps to change the behavior that leads to those diseases.

ACE scores came out of Adverse Childhood Experiences Study developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente, a health maintenance organization in San Diego; 17,000 people participated. The ACE Study is now being adopted by social service agencies and state public health departments across the United States.

This group site provides background, news and information to help us understand the link between trauma and disease. It also includes research from or pertinent to the ACE Study, from developmental neurobiology (how experiences affect a child’s developing brain and nervous system), and from epigenetics (how our genes turn off and on in response to our experiences and environment).

The site is also about engaging the community to make sure that our kids don't rack up high ACE scores, and to figure out ways to help people who are experiencing trauma.

Some people think we’ll all be talking ACEs one day, and use it the same way we use cholesterol scores.

Project Unbreakable: Where child sex abuse survivors reveal abusers' words

Jane Stevens

See no evil: child trauma research shows us how to never have another Penn State

Jane Stevens

ACE polls reveal that many in our community experienced significant childhood trauma

Jane Stevens

Stopping trauma in its tracks

Jane Stevens

A trauma-sensitive classroom for first-graders

Jane Stevens

Trauma-sensitive school helping stressed kids learn

Jane Stevens

Connie's story: Trauma at seven, decades of illness, healed 50 years later

Jane Stevens

How physicians use knowledge of child trauma to help adult patients with chronic disease

Jane Stevens

This is a child's brain on trauma; this is the life of that traumatized brain

Jane Stevens

Child sex abuse common, leads to lives of quiet despair -- and chronic illness

Jane Stevens

Toxic family environment wreaks havoc on baby's brain

Jane Stevens

People who have ACEs -- it's not just them; it's us, too

Jane Stevens

Diane Sawyer's interview with Jaycee Dugard extraordinarily compelling

Jane Stevens

What do cholesterol scores and ACE scores have in common?

Jane Stevens

When a parent says, "I don't like my kid," what then?

Jane Stevens

ACE scores higher in families in trouble

Jane Stevens

Parenting While Juggling Kittens

Tonid

Arizona ACE consortium partners with PBS station to look at link between child trauma and adult chronic disease

Jane Stevens

ACE Study inspires pediatrician to change her practice

Jane Stevens

Launching a community of people who talk ACEs

Jane Stevens

Definitions of trauma

Link between child abuse, type 2 diabetes in women...but there's a surprise

Jane Stevens

What's your ACE score?

More Mental Illness Among College Students

Jane Stevens

Teen girls ID the benefits of using alcohol & other drugs

Jane Stevens

What's your ACE score?

LIVESTRONG for Douglas County, KS »

World Cancer Day - February 4

World Cancer Day 2012

Did you know that each year, over 12.7 million people receive a cancer diagnosis and 7.6 million people die from the disease? If no action ...

Dads of Douglas County »

Dad & Me Playgroup plans outing to KU Natural History Museum

Children and their dads exploring the University of Kansas Field Station during a Dad and Me Playgroup activity in May, 2011.

Dads of Douglas County and the Lawrence Public School Parents as Teachers program invite dads and their kids to enjoy "Dad & Me at the ...

KHI News Service »

Brownback appoints Gilmore new SRS secretary, unveils ERO

Phyllis Gilmore speaks today at Gov. Sam Brownback's announcement that he is appointing her to be secretary of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. At left is Dr. Robert Moser, secretary of the Department of Health and Environment.

Former legislator supports administration's recent change in food stamp policy Gov. Sam Brownback today appointed former legislator Phyllis Gilmore to be secretary of the Department ...

KHI News Service »

Bills aimed at youth ‘pharm parties’ and use of e-cigs before committee

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.

Two bills before a House corrections committee are aimed at growing problems among youths in Leavenworth County, according to county officials. Proponents of the bills, ...

Food & Nutrition »

What Are You Eating?

Un(der)Insured »

Lawrence clinics provide free dental services for uninsured children as part of Give Kids A Smile Day

From left, Dr. Cheryl Biesterfeld, and dental assistant Steve Frost, provide care Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, for Calum Ochsner 8, Lawrence, at the Douglas County Dental Clinic, 316 Maine. The clinic provided free dental care for uninsured children Friday as part of "Give Kids A Smile Day."

Today, sisters Lilianna, 10, and Nora Grotewohl, 8, received dental care for the first time in four years. They got free exams, cleanings and sealants ...

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department »

Health Department staff go red for women

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department staff pictured from the left are: Sara Brummer, Jennie Henault, Colleen Hill, Jeanette Anderson, Lisa Horn, Linda Rippetoe, Jennifer Church and Jennifer Hayward.

Clinic ran a little late today, but right at noon we were able to assemble just some of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department staff for ...

Heartland Community Health Center »

Heartland Community Health Center Wears Red

HCHC staff wears red, alters logo in honor of Go Red Day

Heartland Community Health Center wears red in celebration of Go Red Day!

Healthy Body & Mind »

Let's raise awareness about heart disease

Wearing Red at UNB!

It's National Wear Red Day! It's part of the American Heart Association's campaign to raise awareness about heart disease — the No. 1 killer of ...

Un(der)Insured »

Health Care Access Clinic Hours

Please call to make a daytime or evening appointment 785-841-5760 No Insurance? No Medical Card? No Medical Home? We Can Help. Health Care Access is ...

With All My Heart »

Wear Red

First 10K Finish - Go Red!

Today is Wear Red Day. For me it is like any other day. I start the day thanking God for another day and I wear ...

Un(der)Insured »

Brownback to sign Medicaid order, fill Cabinet job

TOPEKA (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback is preparing to fill a vacancy in his Cabinet and sign an executive order that advances his plan to ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Kansas dental initiative announced

TOPEKA (AP) — A group of dental associations hopes to attract dentists to underserved areas of Kansas with an offer to help young practitioners pay ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Kansas nurse faces sentencing in drug tampering case

TOPEKA (AP) — A Kansas nurse who added tap water to a painkiller prescribed for a 105-year-old nursing home patient is due in court for ...

About WellCommons.com »

Please join us for a WellCommons celebration, open house!

From left are Dennis Anderson, managing editor, Karrey Britt, health reporter, Monica Taylor, marketing and creative services manager, and Kathleen Johnson, senior account executive.

Please join us for a WellCommons celebration and open house from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the News Center, 645 N.H. ...

Un(der)Insured »

New Lawrence doctor to chat about his unique business model for providing care

Dr. Ryan Neuhofel opened a new family practice in November in the Medical Arts Building, 346 Maine. Neuhofel doesn't accept health insurance or other third party plans, instead he charges fees for services. He's also willing to barter. Neuhofel said he had fun promoting his business this fall in downtown Lawrence.

Dr. Ryan Neuhofel will be available Feb. 16 to discuss his new family practice in Lawrence. Neuhofel is unique in that he doesn’t accept health ...

Relay For Life of Douglas County »

February Fundraiser to Support Relay For Life of Douglas County

Relay For Life February Fundraiser

Throughout the month of February, both the Oread Hotel and the Eldridge Hotel bars and restaurants are featuring a special martini on their menu. $3 ...

LIVESTRONG for Douglas County, KS »

Free Cancer Screenings

Free Cancer Screenings & Diagnostic Services

With World Cancer Day on Saturday, February 4th it is a good time to let you know that LIVESTRONG believes in access to free cancer ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Immunization bill unlikely to go to vote in House

TOPEKA (AP) — A bill that would expand the number of exemptions allowed for parents who don't want their children to be immunized apparently will ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

A Father's Lessons of the Heart

Vaughn Hart

Last week marked the 14th anniversary of my father’s sudden death from heart disease. I wrote about it here on WellCommons last year when I ...

Recap: Longtime Lawrence cardiologist discusses heart health

Dr. Michael Zabel, of Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence, will discuss heart disease — America’s No. 1 killer — in recognition of American Heart Month. Zabel earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in 1988. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiology at Duke University Medical Center. Zabel is a clinical associate professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine. He has done a variety of research on heart disease and treatments.

Healthy Body & Mind »

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas says it won’t submit proposal to be Medicaid contractor

BY SCOTT ROTHSCHILD The largest health insurer in Kansas said Wednesday it will not submit a proposal to be a Medicaid contractor under Gov. Sam ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Friday is national 'Wear Red Day' to raise awareness about our No. 1 killer

Heartland Community Health Center Wears Red for Woman.

February is American Heart Month and the goal is to raise awareness about heart disease — the country's No. 1 killer. The American Heart Association ...

Aging Well »

Kansas advocate raises concerns about how Medicaid reform will affect senior care

Mitzi McFatrich, executive director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care, talks about the state's plan for Medicaid reform during a public meeting Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, in the United Way of Douglas County building. She talked about how the plan could affect older adults.

A Kansas advocate for seniors raised a host of concerns Wednesday afternoon about the Brownback administration’s plan to privatize the Medicaid program. “The changes that ...

Independence, Inc. »

Chad Sublet to Present at Independence, Inc.

Lawrence, Kansas

Chad Sublet, Assistant City Attorney for the City of Lawrence will make a presentation at Independence, Inc. on Tuesday, February 21st at 1:00 p.m.about the ...

Trauma & Recovery »

"Life Support" People Needed

"Life Support" people

On a spring-like winter day, some people in a Downtown Lawrence office building are providing "life support" to those who reach out by phone, by ...

KHI News Service »

Nursing home administrators pan abuse hotline

Greta Wakefield, administrator at Moran Maner Nursing Home, testified Tuesday before the House Committee on Aging and Long-term Care.

SRS officials too slow to respond to concerns, legislators told Nursing home administrator Greta Wakefield called the state’s Adult Protective Services hotline after a man ...

Poll »

Have you suffered a fall?

Aging Well »

LMH offers tips to prevent falls, which often lead to decline in health for older adults

Stacia Bone, a physical therapist at Lawrence Memorial Hospital's Therapy Services, leads a group of older adults in an exercise to help improve their balance and coordination. She was one of the speakers during a program about fall prevention Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at Meadowlark Estates.

Lawrence resident Marge Borom held the back of the chair in front of her while lifting her leg out to the side several times. It ...

With All My Heart »

February is Heart Month

Heart Month

Do you know the signs of heart attack and stroke? Have you had your cholesterol and blood pressure checked lately? Do you exercise regularly? Take ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Longtime Lawrence doctor returns to practice after bone marrow transplant

Dr. Rod Barnes laughs with his patient, Jim Lewis, Lawrence, as the two discuss Barnes's return to work, during an exam on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at Lawrence Family Medicine and Obstetrics, 1220 Biltmore Drive. Barnes returned to his practice last week after being away nearly two years while undergoing and recovering from chemotherapy and a successful bone marrow transplant for treating leukemia.

He’s back. Longtime Lawrence doctor Rod Barnes has returned to practicing family medicine after taking two years off to fight leukemia and undergo a bone ...

Trauma & Recovery »

Clinical Research Center at KU Med Center opens

By The Associated Press FAIRWAY -- Kansas University Medical Center officially opened a new clinical research center in Fairway on Tuesday that it hopes will ...

Poll »

Have you had a wellness exam in the past year?

KHI News Service »

SRS defends change in food stamp policy

Michelle Schroeder of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

A top Kansas welfare official today defended a change in policy that has resulted in at least 1,000 children being dropped from the state’s food ...

Kiddos »

School district ahead of the curve on lunch menu upgrades

Goodbye hot dog. Hello whole wheat spaghetti. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released new standards for school lunches that would boost the amount ...

DCCDA: Families, Farmers and Educators United For Healthy Child Development »

Upgrades to Lunch Menus

We're glad to see these steps toward more nutrition throughout the school days!

Health Beat »

Senator's stroke shows they can hit the young, too

By Lauren Neergaard, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- When a stroke hits at 52, like what happened to Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, the reaction is ...

Growing Food, Growing Health »

Community Dinner Photos

2011 Crew

We had a great crowd on Saturday! Thanks to everyone for coming, celebrating, eating, volunteering, dancing, singing, and making it another wonderful community event! Here ...

Trauma & Recovery »

Cupcake company nixes eating contest, changes course with benefit for hungry

Cupcakes for a cause!

The owner of Cupcake Construction Co. has ditched plans to have a cupcake-eating contest Saturday to benefit the hungry. Instead, Michael Kricsfeld is having a ...

ACEs »

Project Unbreakable: Where child sex abuse survivors reveal abusers' words

Project Unbreakable shines light on child sex abuse

Secrets erupt on page after page from people who are pictured on Project Unbreakable, long-held secrets in the words on the posters they're holding. Words ...

Poll »

Will you participate in National Wear Red Day on Friday?

View results

Healthy Body & Mind »

Rolling Along: Finder's remorse

I’m all the time finding cool stuff during my bike rides through the city. I never find anything in my car, or anybody else’s, for ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

LMH partners with DAISY Foundation to honor extraordinary nurses

Alyson Bennett, a registered nurse at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, care for patient Ann Racy, of Lawrence, on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2012. LMH has partnered with the DAISY Foundation to recognize extraordinary nurses. The first DAISY award will be presented in May at LMH.

Twelve years ago, J. Patrick Barnes died at age 33 of complications from an autoimmune disease just eight weeks after developing symptoms. His stepmother, Bonnie ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

KU Hospital first in state to offer new brain aneurysm treatment

Dr. Koji Ebersole, an endovascular neurosurgeon at Kansas University Hospital, left, is pictured with his patient Marjorie Filipiak, of Liberty, Mo. Filipiak was the first patient at KU Hospital to undergo a new treatment for brain aneurysms called Pipeline Embolization Device. The treatment was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in April. Ebersole and Dr. Alan Reeves, an interventional neuroradiologist, performed her surgery Jan. 5, 2012.

Last spring, 65-year-old Marjorie Filipiak’s heart surgeon inadvertently ran a test that included a scan of her brain, and he found that she had an ...

Relay For Life of Douglas County »

Relay For Life of Douglas County hosted successful Team Captain Kickoff on January 24.

The focal point of Relay For Life of Douglas County, which benefits the American Cancer Society. Money raised goes toward cancer research and programs for cancer patients.

Volunteers for the annual Relay For Life of Douglas County Kansas hosted the Team Captain Kick-Off event on Tuesday, January 24th at Free State High ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

As inmates age, medical costs soar

Two guards enter the maximum-security block at the Lansing Correctional Facility in 2005. Prison inmates across the country are getting older, and more expensive, for states and the federal government, according to a report released Friday by Human Rights Watch.

Prison inmates across the country are getting older, and more expensive, for states and the federal government, according to a report released Friday by Human ...

KHI News Service »

Group working to reduce infant mortality seeks funding for efforts

Dr. Robert Moser, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The members of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Infant Mortality today had the ear of the state's top health official, and they used the occasion ...

Trauma & Recovery »

Willow Domestic Violence Center hires new executive director

The Willow Domestic Violence Center's website.

The Willow Domestic Violence Center board of directors announced today the hiring of Joan Schultz as the executive director. She has been interim director since ...

Growing Food, Growing Health »

Growing Food, Growing Health Community Dinner!

Happy Holidays!

We are approaching our Growing Food, Growing Health Community Dinner On January 28. From 6-7:30pm in the West Middle School Cafeteria, we will be celebrating ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Lawrence doctor, physical therapist to offer simple tips to 'Get Fit' in free workshop

TherapyWorks will be hosting a free workshop about fitness and nutrition at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the center, 1311 Wakarusa Drive, Suite 1000. The workshop ...

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