Californians who experienced verbal, physical, sexual abuse or neglect in childhood are more likely to have long-lasting serious health problems, according to a health report released to the public Thursday.
But early intervention can reduce the effects of toxic stress in children, the report said.
And a pilot project in the Tulare County child welfare system is an example of a program that is addressing the consequences of childhood trauma, the lead researcher said.
Statewide, more than 61.7% of adults have had at least one adverse event in childhood, according to the report by the Center for Youth Wellness, a San Francisco-based health organization.
Nearly 17% of adults statewide have experienced four or more traumatic events. In Fresno County, 17.1% reported having four or more traumatic childhood experiences; in Kings and Tulare counties, 18.8% had four or more traumatic events. In San Benito, Merced and Madera counties, 12.3% have had four or more experiences.
Researchers were surprised by the numbers, said Cecilia Chen, lead author of the report, āA Hidden Crisis: Findings on Adverse Childhood Experiences in California.ā
Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/...l?rh=1#storylink=cpy
[For more of this story, written by Barbara Anderson, go to http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/...den-crisis.html?rh=1]
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