Adverse childhood experiences associated with higher health costs in adulthood

Adverse childhood experiences, including abuse and having parents with mental health issues, are associated with higher out-of-pocket health care costs later in life, according to a new study. Children who face adversities are more likely to have higher rates of mental and physical illness, but this is the first study to show effects on certain health care costs. Those who reported having one or two adverse experiences growing up had, on average, $184 more in annual out-of-pocket costs in the household compared to those with no such experiences. Three or more events were associated with an average of $311 more in out-of-pocket costs and were twice as likely to have medical debt. The study relied on people recalling childhood experiences, so it may be limited by possible recall bias.