Relationship between childhood abuse and household dysfunction as leading cause of death in adults 

An extensive study by Kaiser Permanente Corporation, The National Centers for Diseases Control, Emory University, and the University of Arizona published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine over a three year period, involving over  13,000 American adults, revealed a relationship of health risk behavior and  disease in adulthood for those exposed to childhood abuse.

Researchers found adults who were exposed to adverse childhood experiences such as psychological, sexual, physical abuse or those who lived with family members who were substance abusers, mentally ill or imprisoned  were at increased risks for heart disease, chronic pulmonary diseases (bronchitis, emphysema), obesity, depression,cancer, liver disease, skeletal fractures, sexually transmitted disease, drug abuse, suicide and alcoholism.   Persons with multiple categories of exposure were likely to have multiple health risk factors later in life.

For more information about this study, check out the CDC ( Centers For Disease Control) Website, ACE( Adverse Childhood Experiences Study). (GM)