Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Health and Opportunity Outcomes in 4 US States

Are adult outcomes associated with exposure to positive childhood experiences (PCEs)?In this cross-sectional study of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for 20 916 individuals across 4 states collected throughout 2015 to 2020, adults with PCEs had a higher probability of attaining postsecondary education, higher household income, and lower probability of multiple health risk behaviors and chronic diseases. PCEs were associated with an annual economic value of $215.9 billion from reduced disease morbidity and mortality.This cross-sectional study found that PCEs were associated with better life opportunities and reduced health risk behaviors and chronic diseases, supporting the consideration of strategies to promote these childhood experiences.

Corresponding Author: Robert D. Sege, MD, PhD, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St, Box 63, Boston, MA 02111 (robert.sege@tuftsmedicine.org).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.