Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Presentation at Chamber Luncheon

Please note that today's luncheon will be held in the Westmark dining room, not the banquet room.  Weekly luncheons are held every Wednesday at noon. Enjoy great food, dynamic speakers, and exciting networking opportunities. Chamber luncheons are open to the public. Chamber members receive special member-only pricing.

Executive Lunch Sponsor
Aurora Business Supplies
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Speaker
Pat Sidmore, Health & Social Services Planner
Alaska Mental Health Board

Presentation
Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) and an Alaskan Counterpart Initiative
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente have been conducting this study for more than 15 years. It follows 17,000 individuals enrolled in a Kaiser health plan. More than 60 peer reviewed journal articles have been published with results suggesting links to chronic diseases such as;autoimmune disease, chronic pulmonary disease, headaches, ischemic heart disease, liver disease, lung cancer, and obesity. Furthermore, alcohol and drug abuse, smoking, mental illness and suicide are linked to these adverse conditions as well (see http://www.cdc.gov/ace/publications.htm ). The many health and behavioral health links can have a profound impact on health care related costs especially for a small business.

Another key finding specifically related to the chamber is worker absenteeism was linked to adverse experiences in childhood. This study and the others provide a powerful look at what the employers and the workforce in Alaska are facing and by becoming informed about these issues, owners and managers can be more proactive to support workers in their jobs and improve productivity and the bottom line. For example, of the more than $1 Billion dollars spent on Alcohol and Drug problems in Alaska at least 1/3 is related back to adverse childhood experiences.

Alaska is currently studying the topic, by conducting a population based survey of the issue - becoming the 20^th state to do so. There are strong indications that Alaska will have higher rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences than have been reported in other states and some of our poor health outcomes may be linked. The Department of Health and Social Services is focused on working to mitigate the negative results from this issue and the business community may want to become informed.

Biography
Pat Sidmore, a Planner for the Alaska Mental Health Board and the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Management.  Prior to his current work which includes a focus on early childhood mental health, he worked in the Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, The Alaska Commission on Aging and the Juneau Pioneers Home.