ARC Centre of Program Excellence for children and families over the Life Course

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Problematic Health Outcomes Over the Life Course of First Nations people.

The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (the Life Course Centre) was established in 2014, with the vision of using evidence-based research to develop new knowledge, technology and practices to benefit people living in disadvantage. Led by Professor Janeen Baxter, the Centre is administered from ISSR in collaboration with the University of Western Australia, the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne, along with 10 international universities, six government departments, and two NGOs.

The epidemiology of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is not well-known. What works to prevent or mitigate ACEs and promote positive outcomes for those who have experienced ACEs is also unclear. Understanding ACEs can contribute to the design of early prevention and timely management strategies.

The aim of this study is to understand biological, social and lifestyle mechanisms linking ACEs and problematic health outcomes over the life course in First Nations peoples. Through this study we will also develop culturally appropriate toolkits to support health practitioners, families, and communities for early management of ACEs.

We explored the challenges in screening for ACEs in antenatal care settings and to provide the lessons learned and evidence that guides the practice of ACE screening for both healthcare providers and pregnant women. A study on screening for ACEs in antenatal care in both public and private settings is needed to examine its feasibility and acceptability in the Australian context before being included in the National Perinatal Data Collection.