The Intersection and Dynamics between COVID-19, Health Disparities, and Adverse Childhood Experiences: “Intersection/Dynamics between COVID-19, Health Disparities, and ACEs”

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Stan Sonu, Emory University; David Marvin, Emory University School of Medicine; Charles Moore, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-12-01
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40653-021-00363-z
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 517
• End Page: 526
• Keywords: COVID-19; Adverse childhood experiences; Trauma informed; Coronavirus; ACEs
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is shining a spotlight on health disparities that have long been overlooked in our society. The intersection between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), longstanding health disparities, and COVID-19 cannot be ignored. The accumulation of traumatic events throughout the childhood and adolescent years can cause toxic stress in the absence of supportive adults. This repetitive activation of the stress response system can be a catalyst to long-term, negative effects on both the body and brain. A major factor to appreciate is that ACEs do not affect all populations equally. ACEs disproportionately affect groups that have been historically oppressed. The current COVID-19 pandemic highlights this point when observing both case rates and fatality rates of the virus and has the potential to create a new series of long-term health conditions that will disproportionately affect marginalized communities. A foundational first and critical step of adopting a trauma-informed approach will help lead to system change, advance equity, and create a setting of mutuality and empowerment for our patients.