(Radio Iowa) – Iowa adults with several adverse childhood experiences or ACEs (AY-sez) are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, asthma and C-O-P-D later in life, according to recent state data and a report by the group Iowa ACEs 3-60. That nonprofit’s executive director Lisa Cushatt (kuh-SHAT) says early trauma prevention is a short-term investment that doesn’t always show immediate outcomes, but she says it’s worth it.

ACEs are hardships that happened before the age of 18, like physical abuse from a caregiver, neglect, or separated parents. About 40-percent of Iowa adults who have four or more adverse experiences have had depression diagnosis. The report found Iowa youth who have a trusted adult or friend to talk to don’t feel hopeless as often as youth who don’t. Cushatt says this is an important prevention tool.

The report finds nearly 60-percent of Iowa youth had at least one adverse experience, while 18-percent experienced more than four ACEs. Cushatt says investment in prevention is about more than home or personal issues, and a higher number of ACEs correlates with a higher risk of mental and physical health conditions later in life.