{"id":2372,"date":"2021-11-02T22:10:50","date_gmt":"2021-11-03T05:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.newsmolo.com\/EDC\/2019\/?p=2372"},"modified":"2021-11-03T00:00:52","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T07:00:52","slug":"national-campaign-to-raise-awareness-of-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces-gains-momentum-and-reach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.newsmolo.com\/EDC\/2019\/2021\/11\/02\/national-campaign-to-raise-awareness-of-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces-gains-momentum-and-reach\/","title":{"rendered":"National Campaign to Raise Awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Gains Momentum and Reach"},"content":{"rendered":"
RAFAEL MARAVILLA<\/a><\/span><\/pre>\n
A national awareness campaign on the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the negative physical and mental health impacts that can result from them is swiftly capturing widespread public attention. Since a mid-May launch, more than 150,000 visitors have learned about ACEs through\u00a0NumberStory.org<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n
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ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur before the age of 18. These include childhood abuse, neglect and household challenges, such as having a parent or caregiver with mental illness, or substance misuse or dependence. About two out of three adults have at least one ACE. The long-term effects of ACEs can lead to increased probability of heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and stroke as well as a greater chance of depression, anxiety, and suicide. The life expectancy of individuals with six or more ACEs is 18 years shorter than that of individuals with none. The\u00a0NumberStory.org<\/u>\u00a0website, in both English and Spanish, enables visitors to learn about ACEs and other types of childhood adversity and be directed to resources for healing and prevention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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“After 25 years since the original ACEs study and subsequent thousands of research studies to better understand the short and long-term impacts of childhood adversity, the vast majority of people still don’t know about it,” said\u00a0Sarah Marikos<\/span>, MPH, Executive Director of the ACE Resource Network. “We couldn’t be more excited about how the campaign has already reached so many people across the country, and how it has already had a positive impact.”<\/p>\n
California Surgeon General Dr.\u00a0Nadine Burke Harris<\/span>, a pioneer of changing how our society recognizes and responds to ACEs and toxic stress, is lending her voice to The Story of Your Number campaign. In June, she spoke with Grammy-nominated singer songwriter\u00a0Camila Cabello<\/span>\u00a0who posted a powerful video from their ACEs conversation. At age 24, Cabello has already amassed a huge fan base through her platinum selling album\u00a0Camila<\/i>, featuring the chart topping single “Havana<\/span>,” and its follow up album\u00a0Romance<\/i>\u00a0which included the single “Senorita.” She’s also starring in the title role of\u00a0Cinderella<\/i>\u00a0in a new live action film from Sony Pictures. Her conversation with Dr. Burke Harris has already been viewed more than 1.25 million times. It can be viewed at\u00a0www.NumberStory.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n
“Dr.\u00a0Nadine Burke Harris’<\/span>\u00a0work on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is revolutionary,” Cabello said. “I have learned so much through her work and about the effects of toxic stress, ACEs, and how we can give ourselves the tools to heal from past traumas. Learning about ACEs, destigmatizing the conversation around mental health, and giving people access to the resources they need is so important as we work towards our collective healing.”<\/p>\n
The campaign has caught fire in the social media sphere thanks to a growing chorus of diverse influencers. A-list talent who’ve supported the campaign through their social media channels include singer songwriter, actor and record producer John Legend, actors\u00a0Kerry Washington<\/span>, Taraji P. Henson and\u00a0Wil Wheaton<\/span>, and fashion guru\u00a0Tim Gunn<\/span>.<\/p>\n
Dr. Burke Harris also recently participated in an IG Live conversation on ACEs with\u00a0Maggie Baird<\/span>, mother of Grammy-winning recording artist Billie Eilish. She also taped an upcoming episode of\u00a0Laverne Cox<\/span>‘ podcast. “It only takes one person to have an idea, but it takes a groundswell of support to turn ideas into action and build momentum for life-long change,” said Dr. Burke Harris. “I’m so grateful to Camila and the many influential voices who are raising awareness of ACEs and NumberStory.org for the good of current and future generations.”<\/p>\n
Youth poets have posted original work inspired by ACEs through\u00a0Get Lit<\/a><\/u>, a\u00a0Los Angeles<\/span>-based arts education nonprofit. Poet\u00a0Cielo Valenzuela<\/span>\u00a0performed her poem for actor and activist\u00a0Karla Souza<\/span>, from the television series\u00a0How to Get Away with Murder.<\/i>\u00a0“Mental health is a topic that is very personal and important to me,” said Souza. “I’m inspired that Cielo and the other Get Lit poets are using their voices and talent to end the stigma surrounding mental illness and help break the cycle of ACEs.” Seattle Seahawks wide receiver\u00a0Tyler Lockett<\/span>, who has already penned\u00a0Reflection,<\/i>\u00a0his debut book of poetry, provided an introduction to a recent Get Lit post.\u00a0Katelyn Ohashi<\/span>, former artistic gymnast and six-time All American is also participating. Additional influencers are expected to appear alongside some of the poets over the next few months.<\/p>\n
In addition to these influencers, The Story of Your Number campaign is actively engaging with a growing group of partners who are further raising awareness of ACEs including:<\/p>\n