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What is Trauma?
People of all ages, races, and socio-economic status are likely to experience trauma at some point in their lives. While we often think of trauma as associated with violence, it could also refer to natural disasters, personal losses, and other life changing events. It is important to understand the difference between occasional, everyday stressors and significant experiences with the potential for long lasting negative impacts.
The 3 E’s of Trauma:
Exposure to an event, series of events, or set of circumstances
The event(s) is experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening
Exposure frequently results in lasting effects on health and wellbeing
It is important to recognize that trauma happens at the community and societal levels and these also must be addressed.
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Examples of these adverse conditions include:
Poverty and lack of economic opportunities
Racism and other forms of historical trauma
Structural injustice
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How Does Trauma Impact People?
Although an individual’s experience of trauma is unique, exposure to trauma is related to higher risk of physical and mental health problems across the lifespan. Trauma during childhood can have especially significant impacts because they occur while the brain, body, psychology, and social relationships are under development. The ability to recover from trauma depends upon strengths, resilience, and a caring and supportive environment. For some, counseling or other professional treatment may be needed in order to heal.
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What is the Cost of Trauma?
A meta-analysis published in Lancet Public Health reveals that in North America, 23.4% of individuals have experienced one adverse childhood experience (ACE) and 35.0% of individuals have experienced two or more ACEs. The findings suggest that in North America, the costs of the effects of ACEs on health outcomes are $748 billion, or 3.55% of the nation’s gross domestic product. Moreover, reducing the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences by 10% could equate to a savings of $56 billion annually. A reduction in ACEs is possible with the many intervention and prevention programs offered across the nation. Re-allocating spending to creating safe, healthy and healing communities could benefit the nation economically, and would reduce pressures that our healthcare systems are currently facing.
Bellis, M.A., Hughes, K., Ford, K., Ramos Rodriguez, G., Sethi, Dinesh., & Passmore, J. (2019). Life course health consequences and associated annual costs of adverse childhood experiences across Europe and North America: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health, 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30245-8
Break Line (this text will not be visible when viewing the page)A meta-analysis published in Lancet Public Health reveals that in North America, 23.4% of individuals have experienced one adverse childhood experience (ACE) and 35.0% of individuals have experienced two or more ACEs. The findings suggest that in North America, the costs of the effects of ACEs on health outcomes are $748 billion, or 3.55% of the nation’s gross domestic product. Moreover, reducing the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences by 10% could equate to a savings of $56 billion annually. A reduction in ACEs is possible with the many intervention and prevention programs offered across the nation. Re-allocating spending to creating safe, healthy and healing communities could benefit the nation economically, and would reduce pressures that our healthcare systems are currently facing.
Video: Trailer of the Film “Resilience”
Watch this short video that introduces the basics of trauma, how it impacts people and the benefits of adopting a trauma-informed approach.
Interest-Specific Resources for Learning More
Healthcare
Healthcare settings have been identified as pivotal systems to address adverse childhood experiences.
The Prison Policy Initiative asserts that incarceration in the United States costs federal and state governments and impacted families is $182 billion each year.
In 2017, a study of United States veterans found that 12.9% of veterans had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), compared to 6.8% of their non-veteran counterparts.
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