A bad childhood affects lifelong health

Very good observations, Dr. Hahn, about the future locus for healing. I visited Cherokee Health Systems in Knoxville in order to understand the effectiveness of a combined Medical/Behavioral assessment process and walked away very impressed. Since then, I have advocated development of an assessment system based on a 5 tiered level of inquiry reviewed by a team that includes medical, behavioral and nutritional expertise. It's a systems approach to what is wrong with our health. The healing strategy I am proposing is also a progressive treatment approach that increases knowledge about the physiological effects of trauma, addresses nutritional deficiencies, utilizes trauma release exercise, moves on to self help training and culminates in therapy for those warranting it. The assessment can be done at hospitals, primary care settings, juvenile justice agencies and child/family services. I also believe it is a helping and healing protocol that can be introduced as a community based strategy for healing for communities that want it. I certainly appreciate your engagement on this topic.

Generally the salary of child and adolescent psychiatrists is low in the field of medicine as it is in most care areas associated with children. I checked out the  website and I love it. I might tweak it w/ research from my personal favorites like BVK and Teicher and look for the most up to date resilience research (so I could copy great work and give it my own flare). I don't feel heart warmed however by a doctor doing good work. Good work is what good doctors do. As I look at this... I see the realistic work all health care professionals should be engaging in.... I don't know all the details of the ACA but hospitals are going to be considered responsible for the health of the patients they serve and the government cares for through Medicare (whether fair or not..nothing in life is fair). It seems smart business sense over the long term of a health system  to  acknowledge the tremendous costs of adversity in its population and look for means to diminish that adversity not only w/ words but w/community actions, community programs that support the positive development and health of all the citizens!

Dr, Abram Hoffer once observed that societal change only occurs when 50% of the population believes the change is beneficial, and 10% of professionals who work in the field believe as well. Dr. Coopey works in the field and represents a part of the 10%. I had the pleasure of meeting another North Carolina physician, Dr. Ann Bullock, who has been working with ACE's for the Cherokee tribe for many years. It warms my heart to see professionals who join the call for change. Nice article.

This is a terrific article and a great example of a local website on ACEs. The messenger makes a difference and pediatricians are among our most important advocates. Thanks for highlighting these efforts in western North Carolina. Stay tuned.  There may be a new group on ACEs Connection.  Elizabeth